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Pallone defends Agni II

Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone has defended in the house of representatives India's test-launch of the Agni II missile, saying, ''The United States should look at India's action in light of China's threat to the subcontinent.''

Speaking in the house yesterday, he said, ''We should view this step by India in the context of the ongoing threat posed by China and the fact that Pakistan's missile development programme has developed so quickly because of Chinese support.''

He said the weekend's development further demonstrated ''the need for a US policy with regard to South Asia that turns away from the current stance of confrontation with India, and towards recognition of India's legitimate security needs.''

He also called for increased consideration of the prospects for greater Indo-US cooperation in responding to the threats posed by China.

He was critical of the fanfare with which the Clinton administration had been treating Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji during his current visit to the US. He also attacked China's policies, particularly its role in providing missile technology to unstable regimes like Pakistan.

''Yet, at the same time, when it comes to our relations with the world's largest democracy, India, we keep that country at arm's length, ever wary of their intentions and motives,'' Pallone continued.

He said, ''If pure economics were the only consideration, our policy double-standard with the two Asian giants still wouldn't make any sense.''

He said, ''India offers opportunities for American trade and investment at least comparable to China. India does not threaten fundamental US interests, which is more than you can say about China. Furthermore, India, a country that holds regular elections at the national and local levels, is seriously committed to improving her human rights situation and the treatment of all minority communities.''

''We need to shift our focus from simply condemning India for becoming a nuclear power which, whether we like it or not, is the reality to adjusting our thinking to this new reality and working to promote peace, security, confidence building and non-proliferation in South Asia,'' he added.

''Within Us South Asia policy,'' he pointed out, ''Our narrow India-pakistan focus overlooks the role of China. I believe that China is the real threat to India, as well as to US interests and to regional security. It is in this context that India's potential role as a partner for peace and stability should be understood,'' he said.

UNI

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