Indo-US talks avoid discussing nukes and Pak

NEW DELHI: India and the US on Monday discussed the `trinity'' of civilian space and nuclear technology and facilitation of dual purpose hi-tech trade but stayed clear of discussing India''s reformulated nuclear doctrine or concerns about Pakistan''s proliferation to North Korea.
The discussions took place during the meetings that the visiting director, policy planning, in the US State Department, Richard Haass, had with external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha and foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.
The external affairs spokesperson said that while North Korea, including the steps taken by the US, was discussed, Indian concerns about Pakistan''s proliferation were well-known and did not need reiteration. Sinha, however, did mention the issue of cross-border terrorism and told Haass that there was no change in the situation on the ground.
Discussions on the new tenets of India''s nuclear doctrine were also limited to a passing mention of the government''s announcement by Sinha as an example of India''s restraint, the spokesperson said.
The two sides, the spokesperson said, also discussed export controls and the situation in Iraq.
The spokesperson said the high level Indo-US technology group set up earlier would meet in February when the foreign secretary travelled to the US for foreign office consultations.