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India tells US team of Sino-Pak nexus

India today categorically conveyed to the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, its apprehension on the China-Pakistan nexus which was reflected in Islamabad's recent test-firing of Ghauri missile with a range of 1500 km.

According to senior officials in the defence ministry, India's concern was conveyed to the US delegation headed by Richardson, when it called on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today to hold talks on a number of issues.

It is understood that the Indian side reiterated to the US team that New Delhi's security concerns had compelled it to take cognisance of the Beijing-Islamabad nexus on missile cooperation, and that India was constrained to take various measures to safeguard its security interests.

Defence officials pointed out that India's apprehension on the regional security environment in the light of clandestine Sino-Pak missile cooperation came following Richardson's earlier statement that he could understand India's concern on the matter.

Richardson had also been told by the Indian side that, even while New Delhi wanted a peaceful security environment in the region, it could not be an idle spectator when Pakistan was flexing its muscle, the latest example of which was the test-firing of the Ghauri.

It is also understood that, when queried by the US delegation on its own missile programme, the Indian side pointed out that it had come about after taking into account the threat perception from China.

Earlier, Gen Dennis J Reimer, chief of staff, US army, who arrived on a five-day visit to India last night, called on Defence Minister George Fernandes, the three services chiefs and the defence secretary in the capital today.

During his goodwill visit to India, Gen Reimer will be visiting Mhow, Udhampur, Leh, Agra and Calcutta.

Additional reportage by UNI

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