The United States yesterday said no decision had been taken to change President Bill Clintons planned visit to India and ruled out snapping of diplomatic relations with New Delhi in the wake of last weeks multiple underground nuclear tests.
Clintons plan is to go to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We have made no decisions to change those plans, said national security adviser Sandy Berger.
But, obviously, we will watch the situation over the next several months and make a decision, Berger told the NBC-TV.
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Clintons proposed visit to India in November was shrouded in speculation following five nuclear tests by India on May 11 and 13.
The US Administration has already imposed sanctions on New Delhi in the wake of the development.
We obviously are not going to break off diplomatic relations with India. It is a huge country. It is the largest democracy in the world, and it is about to be the largest (in terms of population) country in the world and one that is quite important in terms of the future of Asia and the future of the world, the security adviser said.
According to him, the tests were an act primarily of misguided nationalism, not national security.
Berger said the White House has no plans to cancel the visit.
Some lawmakers supported that decision, saying canceling the Presidents trip to India would be going too far.
It would be an enormous mistake to cancel that trip in my judgment, Senator Bob Kerrey (Democrat) of Nebraska told NBC.
India is not a pariah, Kerrey said. It would be a blow to world peace if we didnt go.
Im not opposed to going and communicating, said Republican representative John Kasich of Ohio.
I think the President could have an effect on these leaders and their people, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona said.