US Congress seeks 'to work closely' with Gujral

The US Congress has directed the Clinton administration ''to work closely'' with Prime Minister I K Gujral to strengthen relations between the United States and India.

The resolution, adopted by the House during discussions on the Foreign Aid Authorisation Bill on Thursday, noted that Gujral has made it a priority to improve relations with Pakistan. It referred to the meeting Gujral had with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharief in Male last month to improve ties.

The resolution, sponsored jointly by Frank Pallone (Democrat) and Bill McCollum (Republican), said Gujral was committed to strengthening ties between the United States and India through the continuation of free market reforms and initiatives.

It referred to the vote of confidence the Gujral government had won in Parliament and the economic reforms that were being continued.

House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Benjamin Gilman and its South Asia and Pacific sub-committee chief Doug Bereuter supported the resolution. Both Gilman and Bereiter are leading members of the Republican Party, which has a majority in Congress.

Earlier, Pallone told the House that his resolution was important because the relations the US had in South Asia were at a critical point. "I think it is imperative that we recognise and support the Gujral doctrine which basically has been an instrument to bring peace among various nations in South Asia,'' he said.

Pallone said India and Pakistan, after three wars and 50 years of tense relations, had finally decided to promote peace and economic prosperity, not only through bilateral relations but also through other countries in South Asia, he added.

Pallone said his resolution sought to indicate US support for the Gujral doctrine which envisaged that South Asian nations should work together not only diplomatically to avoid possible conflict, but also in terms of trade.

Pallone and McCollum are the founder members of the congressional caucus on India and Indian-Americans which has the backing of about 75 Congressmen.