USA,India launch comprehensive war on terror:Boucher

By Staff
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Kolkata, Aug 04: Describing India as a "rising world power" US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher today emphasised the need to fight the global menace of terrorism "jointly and in a more comprehensive manner".

''Of late the menace of terrorism has reached such a height that it has become virtually impossible for any country to fight it alone,'' he said while particpating in a special interactive session with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce(ICC)at the beginning of his two day visit to the city.

Mr Boucher is the highest ranking US official visiting eastern India this year.

Describing the present relations between India and the USA as the "best ever", Mr Boucher said the 7/11 serial bomb blast in Mumbai had once again proved that there was an urgent need to fight the danger unitedly. ''USA was among the first country to condemn the dastardly act in the strongest words,'' he added.

Referring to the recent signing of the Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation between the two largest democracies of the world,Mr Boucher said apart from opening a new chaper in the Nuclear Proliferation issue,the treaty had brought the nations closer on various important issues.

''The best of Indo-US relation is more prevalent through the fact that the the US Congress, despite some opposition, was able to pass the treaty comprehensively. We hope that the US Senate will also pass it in a similar fashion,'' he said.

However, when his attention was drawn to the country's opposition to India's claim to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a defensive Boucher said, ''though in every fora USA acknowledges India's growing importance in the socio-economic strata of the world, because of certain compulsions we are only supporitng the candidature of Japan for the post.'' Mr Boucher reiterated his country's acknowledgement to India's growing importance in world affairs with full American support.

Earlier on his arrival in the city, Mr Boucher called on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee at his Writers' Buildings Chamber and discussed the potential of future American investment opportunities in West Bengal in the IT sector and agriculture and Food Processing industries.

Describing the meeting as "very fruitful" in terms of future economic cooperation and the reform programmes, Mr Boucher said he had found the overall business environment in the state as "quite favourable". He also announced the visit of several high ranking US business delegations to the city in October-November to explore many more opportunities.

Recognising India's true potential to becoming a world economic power house, the US Assistant Secretary of State said except China no other country in the developing world was poised to attain more than eight per cent growth in GDP. Elaborating the potential of greater economic cooperation, Mr Boucher offered his country's technological assistance in the fields of infrastructure development like building of modern airports,dams, roads,bridges and energy efficient industries, particularly nuclear based energy sources.

Expressing serious concern at the unabated hike in international prices of crude oil and other petroleum products, Mr Boucher said in order to ensure supply of clean nuclear energy, his country was ready to extend fullest cooperation to all, including India.

Acknowledging India's huge potential in agriculture, the senior Americal official said during his visit to New Delhi from tomorrow, a 300 million dollar worth cooperation agreement could be signed between the two countries.

Regarding the American standpoint on the future of Doha round of talks of World Trade Agreement, Mr Boucher said the US wanted to ensure that proper economic agreements were signed in accordance with the Doha Round of Talks and this should be carried forward in future too.

On the issue of Israeli attack on Lebanon resulting in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, the American Assistant Secretary of State expressed his personal regrets. He, however, questioned the role of Hizbul militants in continuously bombing Israeli installations.

''How can one justify the senseless militant attacks on whom the Lebanese had no control,'' he asked and called for more united efforts to end the global impact of this menace.

About President George Bush's recent visit to India after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh toured USA, he said both the visits went a long way in furthering the close cooperation between the great nations.

Interestingly, during his half an hour long speech, Mr Boucher neither took the name of Pakistan,nor blamed the country for its alleged involvement in growing terrorist activities in the region.

Earlier, on his arrival at the Chamber, Mr Boucher was welcomed by ICC President S.K.Bangur and was introduced by American Consul General In Eastern India Henry Jardine.

UNI

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