US says no to Kashmir meddling, welcomes India’s CSC plan (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - With less than two weeks to go for US President Barack Obama’s visit, the US has assured India that it has no intention of mediating on Kashmir and indicated positive movement on a host of issues, including the lifting of restrictions on high-tech exports and civil nuclear trade.

Obama’s Nov 6-9 visit to India will not only be the longest in his 20-month presidency, but also give a definite direction to future ties with India in areas ranging from high-tech exports, economy and environment to energy and education.

Obama begins his four-day visit to India from Mumbai on the evening of Nov 6 and holds talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Nov 8.

Senior US officials, who did not wish to be named, stressed that the forthcoming presidential visit would highlight the global nature of the India-US strategic partnership and will also include discussions on a host of regional and global issues, including the situation in Afghanistan-Pakistan region, global terrorism, China and the Asian security architecture.

What concerns US today concerns India as well, said officials. And what concerns India, concerns the US, they added. If we move ahead on these issues, it will be a big push forward, they said, adding that in areas like energy the two sides would like to share and learn from each other.

In a clear gesture to allay New Delhi’s concerns over Pakistan’s bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue, the US has made it clear that it is a bilateral issue to be resolved between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The US stance on Kashmir has been very clear, said officials. The conflict is Kashmir is part of discussions between India and Pakistan, and not an issue for the US and other countries to take role, said officials.

The clarification comes amid reports of the threat of a terror attack in Kashmir and Pakistan stepping up efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue during Obama’s visit early next month.

India’s security forces are suspecting an escalation in militancy in the Kashmir Valley in the run-up to Obama’s visit and point out to terror attacks in the state coinciding with then US president Bill Clinton’s visit to India in 2000.

An American official emphasised that the US was aware of India’s concerns over its aid to Pakistan, but made it clear that Washington was constantly asking Islamabad to do more on counter-terrorism front.

“We are constantly talking to Pakistan and asking it to do more,” the official said when asked about India’s concerns over Pakistan’s misuse of the US aid to bolster its anti-India war machinery.

Admitting that China will be among a host of global issues that will be discussed between Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the official said the US saw India as having an important role in Asia, but was keen that India has a very positive relationship with China. They added that the US and India have common opportunities and concerns vis-a-vis China.

The lifting of restrictions on high-technology exports to India and an endorsement by the US of a bigger global role for India in the United Nations and the larger global stage could well be highlights of Obama’s maiden visit to India.

The US was always supportive of India playing a bigger role and believes that it should play a central role in any international architecture to reflect the 21st century realities, said officials.

Officials welcomed signals emanating from India about its willingness to sign the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC), a global treaty that gives India access to global funds in case of a nuclear accident, on nuclear damages and stressed that this will allow their companies to do nuclear commerce with India.

“Signing up to CSC is a very positive step, if and when it happens. That will then allow the companies to begin commercial negotiations required to fulfill the promise of the (nuclear) deal, said sources. We are hopeful that the outcome is consistent with international norms so that they can lead to nuclear transactions between the two countries, said officials.

Officials also admitted that India’s participation in the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has been “under discussions”, but added that New Delhi’s membership in the nuclear cartel will have to be agreed to by all NSG members by consensus.

Downplaying possible friction over some issues like changes in US policy of H1B visa, outsourcing regulations and market access, officials said these “frictions” were normal whenever there was increasing economic cooperation between any two countries and should not be “over-emphasised” by attaching it with protectionism.

“We will find ways to take care of some of these issues,” an official said, pointing out that the US has projected its bilateral trade with India to top $50 billion this year.