Author:
Publication: Agence France-Presse
Date: February 7, 2001
Influential US Senator John Kerry
on Wednesday added his voice to mounting calls for a review of US-led sanctions
on India, imposed after it conducted nuclear weapons tests in 1998.
Many in the US Congress believe
the package of measures containing investment restrictions and bars on
military sales hinder better US ties with India, which many see as a natural
US ally.
"The time is long overdue for the
United States to distinguish once and for all, between India and Pakistan,"
said Kerry in a speech on the Senate floor.
He said that Indians were constantly
irritated by the US habit of balancing India and Pakistan, a US ally in
the Cold War which also faces sanctions for its own nuclear tests conducted
following those of New Delhi.
"From their perspective, India's
commitment to democracy and economic reform dictate that the United States
have a different relationship with India than with Pakistan, which has
a military regime that supports terrorism."
"That the United States lumps them
together or even worse is soft on Pakistan is clearly unacceptable from
the Indian point of view."
"To a certain extent, they have
a point," said Kerry, a Democratic Party senator from Massachusetts, who
is active in foreign affairs, especially in Asia, and is often talked of
as a possible presidential candidate.
Kerry said that although many sanctions
against India had been waived by former president Bill Clinton, it was
time to lift restrictions which prevent loans to India by international
financial institutions.
He said discussion was also needed
on restrictions which prevent foreign investment in India's military.
President George W. Bush last week
made a small step towards lifting US sanctions on India by easing restrictions
on the sale of US-made helicopter spares to New Delhi.
The Indian government has made no
secret of its desire to have all sanctions lifted, saying their presence
hinders closer ties with the United States.
