WASHINGTON -- The United States is moving toward an agreement to lift
economic sanctions imposed on India in the wake of its 1998 nuclear tests.
U.S. officials said a decision depends on the results of security talks
between Washington and New Dehli. Senior officials from both countries have
been meeting.
The talks are meant to ensure an easing of tension between India and
Pakistan in the wake of the border war last summer in which Pakistani-backed
insurgents captured Indian territory.
The Indian-U.S. negotiations are being held in several venues. U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott met on Wednesday in London with
Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh. At the same time, U.S. Treasury
Secretary Lawrence Summers was touring India.
"Certain issues are reflective on the security aspects,'' Summers said
during a tour of India's software industry in Bangalore. "We may soon come
to an understanding on formalization of economic relations."
U.S. officials said a key obstacle to a reconciliation is India's
opposition to sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. President Bill
Clinton wants such an Indian agreement before he is expected to arrive in
New Dehli in March.
Last week, India lifted trade barriers that for nearly 50 years blocked
U.S. products in textiles, agriculture, and consumer and manufactured goods.
The United States is India's biggest trade partner in economic relations
that exceed $10 billion.