In the first major policy statement of the new Bush administration on India, Secretary of State-Designate Colin Powell has said that the US has to discuss more broadly with New Delhi regarding the issue of lifting the remaining post Pokhran sanctions and indicated a review of the prevailing situation.
"I would see whether it is time to remove all the remaining sanctions against India and I would discuss the issue with my colleagues,” he said, addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday. He was answering the question, whether the Bush adminstration would lift all the remaining sanctions against India raised by Senator Sam Brownback. Powell predicted that India would emerge as the most powerful and populous country shortly. He also said that they would be discussing the issue broadly with India, and do whatever they can to restrain their nuclear programme and also help them in their economic development Bureau Report