India has urged the United States to re-examine its South Asia policy in the wake of a sea-change in relations between the two countries as a result of President Bill Clinton and premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee visit to each other's country. “New India-US relations calls for a re-examination of US South Asia policy,” External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said at a lunch hosted by former American secretary of state George Shultz yesterday.
He praised Clinton for his superior statesmanship and ability and courage to reach out to India and discover a new bond. Singh said there was tremendous potential for cooperation between India and the US in the economic field and various other areas such as human resources and information technology.
“There was also potential for cooperation on combating terrorism,” he said. “Enhanced economic ties between the two countries formed an essential component of bilateral relations,” Singh said.
“Given the global situation today, the two nations have to involve themselves together,” he said. “Whether it is global security or cooperation in the field of energy or science and technology, there is need for continuity, stability and confidence,” Singh said, adding healthy India-US relations could go a long way in ensuring future global welfare. Bureau Report