Clinton sets out to ease India-Pakistan tensions

March 19, 2000
Web posted at: 10:55 p.m. HKT (1455 GMT)

In this story: Five days in world's biggest democracy Nuclear issue a top priority RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- U.S. President Bill Clinton arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, for the start of a South Asia trip aimed at easing tensions between the two nuclear powers of India and Pakistan, whose relations are as bad as they were after their last war in 1971.

"I'll make clear our view that a nuclear future is a dangerous future for them and for the world," Clinton said in a videotaped address to arms-control experts on Thursday.

VIDEO CNN's Kelly Wallace reports Pakistan's return to a democratic civilian government is expected to be one of the issues Clinton raises during his visit. QuickTime Play Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     RESOURCES TIME: The Folly of Fighting     MESSAGE BOARD India-Pakistan relations

India and Pakistan conducted back-to-back nuclear tests two years ago. Tensions between the two countries rose last year when the dispute over Kashmir flared into fighting last summer.

This prompted Clinton to urge Pakistan's then-prime minister to end the conflict.

Kashmir has been a flashpoint for two of the three wars India and Pakistan have fought since both won independence from Great Britain in 1947.

During this trip, Clinton will appeal for restraint over Kashmir but will not mediate, since India opposes outside assistance.

"We're certainly not going to impose ourselves in a situation where one of the parties does not believe that's the right course of action," said White House National Security Adviser Sandy Berger during a briefing on Thursday.

Five days in world's biggest democracy

Clinton, accompanied by his daughter Chelsea and his mother-in-law Dorothy Rodham, will spend five days in India, home of one-fifth of the world's population, the biggest democracy on the planet and a blossoming high-tech superpower.

A key purpose for Clinton's visit to India is to strengthen U.S.-Indian relations damaged during the Cold War when India had close ties with the then-Soviet Union. Some critics have said this visit is long overdue.

Clinton will also visit Bangladesh and make a half-day stop in Pakistan. Until last week, the trip to Pakistan was in doubt because of fears it would be seen as endorsement of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a coup last October.

In Pakistan, the president will call for an elected government and will speak to the Pakistani people in a televised address.

Nuclear issue a top priority

In both India and Pakistan, the nuclear arms issue will be a top priority for the Clinton administration. The president is likely to urge both countries to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Clinton's influence may be limited, since the U.S. Senate refused to ratify that treaty last year.

The president will spend Sunday night in New Delhi, India's capital, and begins his official journey with a day in Bangladesh on Monday. The five days in India will be spent in New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Bombay.

When Clinton reaches Pakistan, analysts expect him to deliver a stern message to Musharraf.

"I would guess he'd say something like 'You're heading toward an abyss and you need to do something about it,'" said Michael Krepon, of the Henry L. Stimson arms control think tank in Washington.

White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace and Reuters contributed to this report.

Pakistan announces crackdown on political freedoms ahead of Clinton visit
March 15, 2000
India: 'Pakistan Unpredictable
February 11, 2000
India reinforces troops in Kashmir
January 29, 2000
India, Pakistan feud over whereabouts of vanished hijackers
January 2, 2000
Pakistan: Afghanistan Obstacle
December 24, 1999
Pakistan, India exchange fire along Kashmir border
August 17, 1999

Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Pakistan Link
Pakistan News Service
India Monitor
Kashmir
Pakistan News Service
The Government of Pakistan
Pakistan
CIA World Factbook: India

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.