[Previous entry: "Manipur highways open after 9 days July"] [Next entry: "Naga students urge Centre to expedite peace talks"]

07/18/2005: "NPHMR acknowledges blockade hardships The Imphal Free Press"

NPHMR acknowledges blockade hardships The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 17: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights while stopping short of calling for an end to the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the ANSAM and its supporting organisations on the national highways in Manipur, has acknowledged that serious hardship has been created for the common man in Manipur owing to the economic blockade.

At the NPMHR’s executive council meeting held yesterday at Kohima, the council members, while reiterating support to the mass movement for the unification of the Naga homeland, recognized the ‘negative impact of economic embargo and non-cooperation movement launched against the arrogance of power displayed by the government of Manipur which has the danger of stirring up communal passion overshadowing peaceful co-existence’, according to a statement. While reminding the dominant community and the state government of Manipur of the long sufferings endured by the Naga in their aspiration for a unified Naga homeland, ‘NPMHR express the inconvenience created by the hardship experience by the common man in Manipur state in the back drop of the mass movement launch by the Nagas’ (sic).
The NPMHR encouraged the common people in Manipur to pressure the state government of Manipur to recognise the legitimate rights and aspiration of the Naga which will ensure harmony and peaceful coexistence between the neighbouring communities, the statement said.

The NPHMR meeting also expressed concerne over the growing militarisation by Indian state in the Naga areas during the post cease-fire period. It was also concerned about the rising abuse of women and children in Naga society and the need for concerted effort to redress the issues of emerging cases of domestic violence, lack of adequate attention to child development process, the need for reevaluating the deep rooted patriarchy within Naga society, the illegal migration for want of cheap labour from non-Naga areas, intrusion of globalization and its impact on women and children, etc. The NPMHR also note with concern the increasing cases of violation of civilian rights by the NSCN cadres which need to be addressed with urgency to avoid negative backlash, the statement stated.

AA :Is NPHMR making a joke by acting themselves to be the rightful Human Rights Activist Organization? I wonder even their exhistence when they don't regard the basic Human Rights of common people. I am sure you champions of human rights had to face all the outcome of so called 'Self Styled Dictatorship Democratic Approach'.

All party meet appeals for end to blockade The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 17: A meeting of all political parties, held today with chief minister O Ibobi Singh in the chair, has appealed to the ANSAM to lift the ongoing economic blockade in the interest of all the people of the state. It was also agreed to depute an all-political party delegation to New Delhi to apprise the government of India of the prevailing situation in the state. The meeting, held at the chief minister’s office at 9:30 am today, was attended by representatives of the Congress, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), JDS), MPP, FPM, DRPP and RJD.

The political leaders who attended the meet, noted the statement given by the chief minister on the floor of the state Assembly regretting his decision to declare June 18 as the State Integrity Day as a holiday and in this context, appealed to the ANSAM to resolve the impasse and to lift the ongoing economic blockade in the interest of all the people of Manipur, an official statement said.

The meeting felt that the act of blockading the national highways connecting different states is illegal and not in the interest of anyone, and attracts the intervention of the Central government. The representatives of various political parties therefore advised the chief minister to take up the issue with the Union home minister. The meeting expressed serious concern over the acute shortage of essential commodities arising out of the ongoing economic blockade on the national highways.

The chief minister was urged to strengthen measures already taken up by the government to maintain the supply of essential commodities. The meeting appreciated the help extended by the chief ministers of Nagaland and Assam, and felt the need to strengthen further good neighbourly relationship in times of crisis. All the political parties also appealed to all sections of the society to remain calm and maintain peace and harmony and to refrain from any activity which may hurt the sentiments of others.

Vivid :The Chief Minister has the power to end the blocade in a matter of minutes. Expressing regrets is well and good but if he acknowledges he has done something wrong he need to undo it. He need to revoke the declaration; otherwise, his regret or apology is simply fake. All communities in Manipur should know that the ball is in the Chief Minister's court. It's his move. Don't blame us for fighting for our rights.

NPCC for extension of truce
KOHIMA, July 17: The Political Affairms Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has favoured the extension of the ongoing ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN-IM, which will expire on July 31. A release issued by NPCC here today said the PAC had a marathon meeting here at the Congress Bhavan yesterday and adopted a few resolutions, in which it welcomed the extension of cease-fire between New Delhi and the NSCN (K) and pledged support to the ongoing peace process.

The PAC urged the parties concerned to adhere to the mutual terms of the cease-fire ground rules and to publish so as to inform the general public. While appealing to various tribes of Nagaland to maintain cordial relationship for peaceful co-existance, the committee urged upon the leaders of the ''Konyak and the Chang tribes to understand the need of the hour and amicably settle differences arising out of the Tobu landownership issue''. The PAC asserted that it would help resolve the present crisis as and when approached. The Committee urged Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government to arrest the members of the banned ''Self Defence Force'' in order to restore normalcy in Tobu area, where nine persons were kidnapped and five of them killed. The PAC also minced no words in criticising the state government for its failure to contain violence. UNI

Student leaders say Naga lawmakers should resign to press for merger of tribe's areas
GAUHATI, India, Jul 14, 2005 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Student leaders from India's restive Naga tribe demanded on Thursday that Naga lawmakers resign to press for the merger of their tribe's scattered areas in the remote northeast. The All Naga Students' Association of Manipur made their demand as they continued a three-week-old blockade of two key highways linking Manipur state's capital, Imphal, with the rest of India. The blockade has caused shortages of wheat, rice and other foods in Imphal, whose inhabitants are mostly ethnic Meiteis. Nagas are a minority in the state.
The Manipur Nagas accuse the Meiteis of discrimination in jobs and development in four of nine districts where most of them live. Nagas control 13 of the 60 seats in Manipur's legislature, and tribe members account for 15 percent of the state's 2.3 million people. The student leaders hope the lawmakers' resignations would highlight their grievances by disrupting the functioning of the state legislature. They want four predominantly Naga districts in Manipur to merge with neighboring Nagaland state, whose 2 million people are 95 percent Nagas. Manipur's Meiteis reject the idea.
The Naga lawmakers' response to the students' demand was not immediately known. Police and paramilitary forces have been escorting trucks and buses from Nagaland to Imphal to ease commodity shortages caused by the students' roadblock and to make travel easier, said J.C. Dabas, Manipur police director-general. Many Nagas support an insurgent group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which has been campaigning for the integration of all Naga areas in the country's remote, mountainous northeast. Council leaders have been holding peace talks with India's government since a 1997 cease-fire in a fight for greater autonomy by Naga guerrillas.
Manipur: The Siege Within
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management

Beginning June 20, 2005, the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), imposed an economic blockade in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati, cutting off the remaining five districts of the State from the rest of the country. The blockade was a reaction to the Manipur Government's declaration of June 18 as 'State Integrity Day', which the ANSAM described as a "coercive and belligerent attitude towards a peaceful assertion of the Naga peoples democratic will", which it deemed "highly irresponsible and an attempt on the part of the Government to distort the facts."

June 18 is of significance to the Valley areas of Manipur, which erupted into unprecedented violence following the Union Government's declaration of the extension of the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim - Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) on this date in 2001. The decision was seen as a precursor to giving in to the militant group's long-held demand for a 'Nagalim' or 'greater Nagaland', which sought the merger of about two-thirds of Manipur's territory with Nagaland. People in the valley districts fought pitched battles with the security forces, and burnt down Government offices and residences of political leaders. 20 protesters lost their lives in security forces' firing, and the day has, since, been a rallying point for the Manipuris confronted with the NSCN-IM's expansionist onslaughts. For Naga organisations, which maintain close links with the NSCN-IM, however, the day and any attempt to glorify it are problematic.

Chief Minister Ibobi Singh's decision could have been prompted by his eagerness to play to the integrationist gallery in the State, so far dominated by the Meitei organisations like the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), United Committee Manipur (UCM) and the Apunba Lup (Umbrella Organisation); in the process, however, he provided ANSAM with the opportunity to start an agitation on the issue. ANSAM's reaction assumes greater significance against the backdrop of the NSCN-IM leadership's exit from New Delhi after a seven-month stay and extended negotiation in India. The Union Government had clearly expressed its inability to integrate Naga inhabited areas in the three States abutting Nagaland, in view of opposition from the affected States.

This may well have provoked the NSCN-IM to try and exert influence through mass mobilisation of the Nagas in Manipur. Little differentiates the NSCN-IM from organisations such as ANSAM, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the Naga Hoho. Leaders within these organisations often move from one to the others, and each has, over the years, worked systematically to further the cause of Naga integration. The NSCN-IM, on July 12, vowed not to remain a "silent spectator" if New Delhi allowed Chief Minister Ibobi Singh to continue using "brute force" against unarmed Nagas in Manipur. Opposition groups do, of course, exist within the Nagas of Manipur, including the Zeliangrong and Rongmei Nagas. But they have limited organisational and financial capabilities compared to the affluent NSCN-IM and its front outfits. The only vocal entity opposed to the NSCN-IM's strategy is its bete noire, the NSCN-Khaplang, which, on July 13, accused the IM faction of trying to divide Manipur as well as the Nagas.

Manipur's struggle to keep its territory intact has suffered serious setbacks over the past three months. The NSCN-IM leadership in April 2005 arranged for a dinner of the Christian Members of Parliament (MPs) in a New Delhi hotel. Confabulations there appeared to have led to the May 27 resolution by 13 Naga MPs and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Manipur, including a former Chief Minister of the State, Rishang Keishing who currently is a Member of the Upper House of the Parliament, to the Prime Minister. The letter states, inter alia, "In case of territorial integration of the Naga areas, we believe that it is our sincere question and the basic fundamental right of the Naga people to be under one political entity and live together. We therefore fully support the aspiration of the Naga people for integration." This was, by far, the most unequivocal support from Manipuri politicians for Naga integration. Worse, the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency MP, Mani Charanemei, during his meeting with the Prime Minister in the first week of July, is reported to have accused the State Government of being 'communal'.

The impact of the blockade has been enormous. Hundreds of trucks are stranded at the entry point at Mao gate in Nagaland on National Highway number 39, and stocks of essential supplies depleted rapidly in Manipur. Reports indicate that rice is selling at INR 50 per kilogram, about 5 times the normal price; an LPG cylinder, normally priced at INR 300, is selling at INR 600; kerosene prices have rocked to INR 32 per litre, as against a normal price of INR 15. The Government has already rationed the sale of patrol and diesel, and newspapers have cut down on the number of pages due to shortage of newsprint. In a statement on July 15, the Government acknowledged an "acute shortage of essentials, baby food, fuel and medicines with no supplies coming in from outside the State."

At least six trucks, including oil tankers, trying to defy the blockade have been set ablaze by protestors. The Home Ministry is contemplating seeking the Army's help to clear an alternate route, the militant-infested Highway 53 connecting Assam's Silchar and Imphal, to restore the supply lines.

Reeling under multiple pressures, Chief Minister Singh faces a difficult task. Adopting a tough posture against the Nagas would deepen the fissures between the Valley and the Hills and make the State more vulnerable for exploitation by the NSCN-IM. On the other hand, he cannot be seen not to be acting in the face of the gathering storm. He has attempted to open lines of communication with the ANSAM, and on July 12, he backtracked on the 'Integration Day' announcement, stating that it had not been placed on the official list of general holidays, and no concrete decision had on whether it would be retained as a general holiday next year. On July 15, during a discussion on the current impasse in the Assembly, Chief Minister Singh declared that the decision was a mistake "if it has hurt anybody". However, ANSAM, which is now being supported by the Naga Hoho and the NSF, is yet to relent.

On July 13, ANSAM asked all the Naga MLAs and Ministers in the Manipur Assembly to resign, declaring that "Naga identity and dignity cannot be safeguarded under the present arrangement of Manipur State under any circumstances."

Apart from the Nagas, Manipur has other problems to contend with, including the demand for a separate Sadar Hills District in the present Senapati District. Coinciding with the official end of the ANSAM's blockade on July 9, which still continues unofficially with the support of the NSF in Nagaland, the Sadar Hill District Demand Committee activists announced a three day blockade of NH 39 beginning July 10. Following the accidental death of an activist, the agitation was extended for another two days.

In his report to the Union Government, Manipur Governor S.S. Sidhu reportedly said the crisis could have been avoided had the State Government acted more responsibly. The Union Home Ministry has asked the State to diffuse the crisis and, in turn, the State Government has asked for more para-military personnel to deal with the situation. The impasse continues and there is little hope that, even with an end to the present crisis, normalcy in Manipur will be restored in the foreseeable future.

Fuel crisis hits Manipur, Centre mum G Vinayak in Guwahati | July 18, 2005
In Manipur's Imphal Valley, a litre of petrol costs Rs 70 and a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder costs Rs 600. A week from now, Manipur might not have even that. One month after the All Naga Students Association, Manipur launched the blockade of National Highways 39 and 53-- both linking the capital-- the state's administrative headquarters is reeling under a shortage of essential commodities. Black marketers who have hoarded fuel and LPG are having a field day fleecing desperate customers. In some places, cooking gas is sold for as much as Rs 700/cylinder. The ANSAM began its blockade on June 19, a day after the anniversary of the 2001 June uprising against Delhi's bid to extend its ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah beyond Nagaland.
The trigger for the agitation was the Ibobi Singh government's decision to commemorate the anniversary as 'State Integrity Day'. Official sources said the available stocks of petrol would last eight days, diesel 12 days and kerosene 19 days. Security forces have so far been able to escort only two convoys of trucks stranded along National Highway 39 to Imphal. Despite the volatile situation in the region, all that New Delhi has done so far is to ask the army to clear the NH 53 for regular traffic. Several army units are now engaged in freeing NH 53 of various militant groups so that essential commodities can be ferried to Imphal. But deploying the army is at best an ad hoc solution. Troops cannot remain there forever and in any case NH 53 is not the regular link to Imphal valley.
NPCC Chief lauds State media, request to give correct information
By Oken Jeet Sandham – Asian Tribune
Kohima, 18 July, (NEPS): NPCC President Hokheto Sumi lauded the role of the State media and said the people and the Government were today increasingly depending to the media which were growing so fast from strength to strength with the coming of advance technology. Interacting informally with the media personnel here at Hotel Japfu on Saturday night, the NPCC chief informed that the world came to know any activity here in Nagaland within few seconds because of the fast media technologies.

"People need to be kept informed what is exactly happening in the society and also in the functioning of the Government," Sumi pointed out. "Sometimes political parties may try to blame the media for certain reportings," he said adding, "But the media should stick to their principle and the ethics of reporting neutrally." "We as politician will definitely like to harvest the potential of the media but I request the media to give correct information to the people," the NPCC Chief stated. - Asian Tribune –

All Pol Party seeks Delhi's help By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 17 : The all political party meeting convened today resolved on seeking Central Government's intervention in solving the economic blockade impasse and appeal to the blockade spon- sor ANSAM to call of the agitation in the interest of the general public besides deciding to depute an all political delegation to New Delhi to apprise the Central leaders.
According to an informed source, represen- tatives of various political parties also expressed their annoyance at the State Govt convening the meeting when the situation had gone out of hand.
the meeting held with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in the chair discussed the situation arising out of the blockade and the political leaders expressed that Centre’s intervention had become indispensable in view of the ANSAM agitation assuming proportion of violation of democratic principles.
The CM is informed to have repeated his comments presented on the floor of the House regarding declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day.
The source also conveyed of the political leaders suggesting to the Chief Minister to consult the Union Home Minister for Central Govt intervention in solving the impasse to ease the burden faced by the common people.
In addition to adopting resolutions to urge AN-SAM to call off its agitation in view of inconveniences faced by the public the meeting also prevailed upon the CM to apply all available resources to procure essential commodities and ensure sufficient food-stocks.
The meeting also appreciated the positive res- ponse and assurances from the nagaland and Assam Chief Ministers to protect goods carriers at their respective States while insisting that the State Govt adopt appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of highway distur- bances in the future.
Appeals were also made to the general public to exercise maximum restraint so as to preserve cordial relationships amongst various communities living in the State.
The meeting was attended by leaders of INC, BJP, CPI, CPI (M), Janata Dal (Secular), mPP, FPM, DRPP and RJD.
Naga MLAs appeal
IMPHAL, Jul 17 : Taking serious view of the situation arising out of the economic blockade, the 11 Naga MLAs met at the official quarters of MLA Z Mangaibou today evening to discuss the issue. The meeting decided to appeal to both the ANSAM and the State Government to resolve the impasse. Meanwhile on behalf of the 11 Naga MLAs, RK Theko and BD Behring today issued a statement urging a negotiated settlement to the issue at hand. In the statement, the two MLAs said that due to the imposition of the economic blockade, the general population have been under immense difficulties and urged both the State Government and ANSAM to talk things over and resolve the crisis.
Blockade appeals
IMPHAL, Jul 17 : Highlighting grievances of the common people due to imposition of indefinite economic blockade on the two lifelines of Manipur numerous organisations appealed to ANSAM for lifting the blockade and resolve the impasse through peaceful means.
The bodies appealing to ANSAM to facilitate supply of consumer goods are Manipur State Minority Youth Development Organisation (Babupara), Kanglei Cha-nura Chaokhat Lamching lup (Hiyanglam), Student Fe- deration of india Thoubal Leishangthem unit, League of the Fourth World People (Imphal) and Momnu Eerik-khombi Lup.
Sumis, Aos not to take part in solidarity rally Sangai
Kohima, July 17: In a major setback to tomorrow’s proposed rally at Dimapur in support of Naga integration, two Naga tribes - Sumi and Ao - resolved not to attend it. Sumi Naga tribe, a majority community in and around Dimapur, resolved not to attend the meeting, but extended its full support to the on-going Naga peace process.
At a meeting organised by All Sumi Students’ Union (SSK) at Dimapur yes- terday, several Sumi Naga bodies expressed resentment over frequent harass- ment meted out to the members of the community allegedly by NSCN(I-M) cadres, and resolved not to attend the rally, a statement by the SSK said. The Ao Union Dimapur, said in a release that they decided not to attend tomorrow’s rally. However, the released did not mention any reason for that. Several Naga bodies are organising the ‘solidarity rally’ at City Tower Junction tomorrow in support of the on-going non- cooperation movement and economic blockade, spearheaded by ANSAM and NSF and Nagas’ aspiration for an integrated “Naga homeland”. PTI

PM arrives in the US
WASHINGTON, July 17 – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here today on a three-day visit to the United States during which he will hold talks with President George W Bush focussing on the battle against terrorism, cooperation in economic and civil nuclear energy sectors. The special Air India plane carrying Singh and his entourage touched down at the St Andrews air force base here after a night halt in Frankfurt.
During his talks with Bush on Monday, Singh is expected to engage on issues crucial to India’s emergence as an emerging global power. – PTI

The June 18 debate
The official line adopted by the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur for launching the indefinite economic blockade on the two National highways was the decision taken by the State Government to declare June 18 as State Integrity Day and a State holiday as well. Chief Minister of Nagaland, Mr Nephiu Rio too appears to have taken the line adopted by ANSAM and even went to the extent of stating that the problem besieging the State is the creation of the SPF Government. At the other end of the spectrum, we have a political party like the Communist Party of India which has gone on record and stated that linking the economic blockade with the June 18 declaration would be misplaced and instead toed the line that the economic blockade should be linked to the ongoing negotiation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. This debate is interesting for both sides have their own merits and demerits and while ANSAM may stick to its stand that their decision to launch the economic blockade was dictated by the decision of the State Government to declare June 18 a State Integrity day, the fact also stands that 2005 is not the first year that the State has been witnessing the observation of State Integrity Day. If we remember correctly, the idea of setting aside one day to be observed as Integrity Day was born as way back as August 4, 1997, when a massive integrity rally was organised by AMUCO. And as the CPI noted, August 4 was always observed as State Integrity Day in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. In all these years too, August 4 was declared a half holiday. Thereafter June 18 came to be known as State Integrity Day in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. If this is the case, then why did ANSAM decide to react so sharply to the recent announcement of the Chief Minister to declare Juen 18 as State Integrity Day is a question that is worth some deep study and to do this we need to take into consideration the situation in 2005 and compare it with the years gone by.
A lot of water has flown down the Imphal river during the period between August 4, 1997 and June 18, 2005 and one defining moment in the issue concerning the territorial integrity of Manipur was June 18, 2001 when the valley areas exploded culminating in the burning down of the State Assembly, numerous political party offices, man handling of the then Speaker of the State Assembly and the shooting incident at the Chief Minister's bungalow which led to the loss of lives of 14 persons. It was a people's uprising against what they perceived was a threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur. Since 2001, this issue has been a sensitive one and what the hill districts witnessed on June 16, 2005 was again something significant related to the integrity of Manipur. For the first time, we saw the Naga civil societies coming out in the open to demand the integration of Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit, which translates into the demand of a Greater Nagaland raised by the NSCN (IM). We also have to acknowledge the point that 2005 is not 1997 or even 2001 and today, it appears that the IM group may have changed its tactics and passed on the baton of carrying out the demand of a Greater Lim to the Naga civil societies. The declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day may have just been the opportune moment for the Naga civil societies and student bodies, to give more thrust to their demand of a Greater Lim. It is also significant that the Naga civil societies chose to take a hawkish stand on the matter, days after Th Muivah asked the Nagas to be ready to fight it out for another 50 years.
Congress for Cease-fire extension NET News Network
Kohima, July 18: The Nagaland Congress has favoured the extension of the ongoing ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN-IM and urged the concerned parties to adhere to the mutual terms of the ceasefire ground rules and publish the same to inform the public. A release issued by Congress adopted a few resolutions, in which it welcomed the extension of cease-fire between New Delhi and the NSCN (K) which is suppose to end on July 31 and further pledged support to the ongoing peace process. While appealing to various tribes of Nagaland to maintain cordial relationship for peaceful co-existence, the committee urged the leaders of the Konyak and the Chang tribes to understand the need of the hour and amicably settle differences arising out of the Tobu landownership issue and asserted that it would help to resolve the present crisis as and when approached.
Further the Congress urged Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government to arrest the members of the banned ''Self Defence Force'' in order to restore normalcy in Tobu area, where nine persons were kidnapped and five of them were killed. The PAC also minced no words in criticizing the state government for its failure to stop violence.

Expectations high as PM visits U.S. Monday, July 18, 2005,Washington: India's prime minister will be warmly received during his visit to the United States beginning on Monday, but he may be disappointed in his quest for nuclear technology and a U.N. Security Council seat. Experts warn that while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's state visit will symbolize warming ties between countries that were on opposite sides of the Cold War, the United States and India still disagree over Iran and other strategic issues. Singh is expected to repeat to U.S. President George W. Bush a long-standing request for atomic energy cooperation. The demand has met U.S. opposition because of concerns over India's status as an nuclear power that has refused to join most international nonproliferation regimes despite a 1998 nuclear test.

Asked about the prospects for nuclear cooperation, a senior U.S. official said only the two countries were having "dialogue on energy" and shared the goal of reducing dependency on oil. U.S. experts and officials argue that softening nuclear controls would undercut global nonproliferation efforts and send conflicting signals to other potential nuclear exporters.
"If the U.S. relaxes on this, then the Russians could rush in," said David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security. Russia had slowed down earlier nuclear cooperation with India under U.S. pressure. Singh will also find himself at odds with U.S. policies on Iran, a country with which India has "strategic partnership," but which Washington accuses of building nuclear weapons. Washington hopes that India will join the Proliferation Security Initiative, a U.S.-led, 60-nation effort to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, a U.S. official said.

HIGH PRIORITY RELATIONSHIP
The energy needs that drive India's quest for U.S. nuclear help are behind plans to build a $4 billion gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan, which has met U.S. resistance.
"The U.S. policy is one of putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear weapons program," said Harvey Feldman of the Heritage Foundation. "India looks at Iran and sees Iran as a way into Central Asia" for its energy resources. Other key differences include Indian resistance to American pressure to isolate the military regime in Myanmar and the close U.S. embrace of India's bitter rival Pakistan. India's hopes for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council suffered a blow on Tuesday when the United States rejected a resolution by Brazil, Germany, Japan and India to expand the 15-member body. Washington urged others to reject the plan.

Analysts caution against any U.S. expectation that India would side with Washington in a possible confrontation with China. India and China fought a war in 1962, but are mending ties rapidly now.
"Some commentators have surmised that the U.S. and India are coming together to contain China, but I'm quite sure India will make its own calculations," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said a speech in Washington this week. U.S. officials are sounding very upbeat about India. Indian flags flew in Washington at the weekend to welcome Singh, who will be feted during his three-day trip.

"There is certainly no higher priority than expanding and broadening our relationship with India," said the U.S. official. Agreements will be signed in 16 areas, including investment, energy, space exploration, agriculture, science and preserving the endangered Bengal Tiger, the official said.
(Source : Indian Express)