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India eyes US weaponry, as White House debates Pakistan visit

WASHINGTON: After decades of dependence on Soviet arms, India now wants to buy US weapons, mainly laser-guided bombs, radar-controlled gun batteries, submarine periscopes and other equipment, according to a US official.

Before his visit to New Delhi next month, President Bill Clinton may drop some of the economic sanctions that the United States had slapped on India after its May 1998 nuclear tests.

The US President hopes to focus attention on the growing economic importance of India as it ends decades of stagnating quasi-socialism with market-based reforms, said the Washington Times quoting the official.

He also hoped to highlight economic progress in South Asia, a region once derided as unable to feed itself.

Meanwhile, a heated debate is under way within the US administration over whether President Bill Clinton should visit Pakistan during his tour of the Indian subcontinent next month.

Those opposed to a visit say it would serve to legitimise the government of General Pervez Musharraf, who came to power in a military coup last October.

But supporters of a visit say that the best way for the United States to encourage reform in Pakistan is to engage Islamabad, not to isolate the Islamic country.

The United States and other Western countries want India and Pakistan, who both have nuclear capability, to resume their interrupted dialogue to ease tensions in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Clinton is scheduled to visit India and Bangladesh next month. Publicly, the administration says no decision has been reached on a visit to Pakistan.

But privately, US officials have told Musharraf's government that it must demonstrate a willingness to return to democratic civilian rule and take a tougher stance against terrorism.

In particular, the United States hopes Musharraf will use his influence with Afghanistan's Taliban militia to expel Osama bin Laden.

"There's not a certain box they have to check. The United States is looking for 'actions,' " said one senior Clinton administration official, describing the situation.

Pakistan has said tensions on the subcontinent could be aggravated if Clinton bypasses Pakistan.

Clinton has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir if asked by both sides to help.

India is opposed to any third party mediation and says India and Pakistan should settle their disputes directly. PPI