NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, called for “closer consultation between India and the United States on defense issues affecting regional and global stability.

During an hour-long meeting with the visiting US Secretary for Defense, Dr. William J. Perry, the entire gamut of Indo-US relations came in for a high-level review.

Emerging after the meeting, Dr. Perry refused to be drawn into subjects that had come up during the one-to-one talks between the two leaders

Asked if the situation in Kashmir and issues of US concern over India’s missile program had figured in the talks, the US defense secretary said: “No comments.”

He, however, said that the US had expressed to India it’s desire for early return to democracy in Kashmir and for efforts to developed strained relations between India and Pakistan. After the meeting, an official spokesman said that the Prime Minister had expressed satisfaction at the signing of the agreed minutes on defense cooperation. He agreed with Dr. Perry that the two countries should hold useful consultations on issues affecting regional and global stability

The spokesman said it was Narasimha Rao who had suggested the “blue print” for the agreed minutes on defense cooperation during his visit to the US last May.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister suggested that ground rules should be declined to ensure the success of the UN peacekeeping operations. Rao also said that commitment of various countries to such operations should also be well defined.

The spokesman said the Rao referred to The UN peacekeeping operation when the visiting US secretary for defense in the course of discussions, praised India’s contribution to these peacekeeping operations and cited the working together of US And Indian armed forces under the UN mandate in Somalia The Prime Minister said that UN peacekeeping operations was one of the major fields where the US and India could consult and corporate for mutual benefit.

In the talks, besides Dr. Perry. the US Ambassador here. Frank G. Wisner, the Assistant Secretary for Defense. Joseph Nye and the Assistant Secretary of State, Ms. Robin Raphel represented the US side.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 20, 1995