‘ASHINGTON, Sept. 10, Reuter: Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi will hold talks with President Reagan on his ‘way to the Commonwealth Summit in Ottawa next month, US. Officials said on Thursday.
The officials, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters the Indian leader would make a 36hour working visit to Washington starting about October 20 that would include talks and! Lunch’ with President Reagan at the White House,
They said Gandhi’s schedule had not been completed yet, but he was also expected to meet Secretary of State George Shultz and Defence Secretary Caspar Weinberger.
The Prime topic at the sessions ‘Was expected to be Pakistan’s alleged attempts to produce a nuclear bomb, an issue that has damaged relations between Islamabad and Washington, the officials said.
The United States has long attempted to persuade Pakistan to prove its contention that the unclear programme it is pursuing is for purely peaceful purposes. Washington fears a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan, neighbors which have fought three wars since Independence from Britain in 1949.
India has exploded a nuclear device and also insists its nuclear programme is not aimed at making a bomb.
The officials said Reagan was likely to renew US. Pleas that India signs the nuclear weapons.
During his last visit to Washington two years ago Gandhi refused to sign, saying the pact was unfair to developing nations. Pakistan has said it would sign the treaty if India did.
The allegations that Pakistan aimed to produce a bomb flared again recently with the arrest of Pakistani born Canadian citizen Arshad Pervez in Philadelphia
Pervez last month pleaded not guilty to attempting to export illegally special steels that could be used to make a nuclear bomb,
He is accused of plotting with retired Pakistani Brigadier General Inam Ul-Haq to obtain and export a super hard steel alloy and the rare element beryllium.
Pakistan has denied any official connection with the alleged plot, but senior U.S. officials said publicly that Islamabad was on the verge of producing a bomb.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 18, 1987
