AFP, NEW DELHI: A top US defence official sounded out the new Indian leadership Tuesday after the election defeat of the Hindu nationalist government that supported Washington in key areas such as missile defence.
Douglas Feith, the US undersecretary of defence for policy, said he had “very cordial and useful” meetings with the new government on “continuing the momentum” in military ties.
The last Indian government — unlike many close US allies — had been receptive to Washington's proposed missile defence shield.
“It struck me as premature to be pressing a government that has been in place for a few days for definitive answers on where their government is on something as major as the missile defence program,” Feith told reporters.
“We will let the new Indian leaders settle in for a bit and then find out what they think about moving forward on that process,” he said.
An Indian government official said the talks with Feith covered a range of issues including joint exercises and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The visit, part of regularly scheduled bilateral talks since 1993, came three months after the United States named India's rival Pakistan a major non-NATO military ally, raising furore in New Delhi which does not have the preferential status.
Feith stressed that the United States had separate relationships with India and Pakistan.
“We believe that both countries are important countries with which we share important strategic interests,” Feith said.
Pakistan, with which India has fought three wars, is a frontline ally in the US-led “war on terror” launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The United States and India, then led by prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, signed a landmark agreement in January to share advanced technology, including in peaceful nuclear applications.
India had been a Cold War ally of the Soviet Union and maintains close ties with Iran, which the United States accuses of developing nuclear weapons and supporting Middle Eastern extremist groups.
“Our position regarding Iran is known,” Feith said, “and it comes up as we discuss Middle East and world affairs with our Indian friends and other people around the world.”
