Indian Official Puts Off U.S. Visit
India’s foreign minister Thursday put off a visit to the United States after often bitter parliamentary criticism of U.S. military aid to Pakistan.
A government spokesman said the visit by Narayan Dutt Tiwari, scheduled for May 10-16, is being postponed “to a more appropriate time due to unforeseen circumstances.” He declined to give further details or explanations.
The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment.
The announcement followed two days of debate in Parliament on Indo-U.S. relations. Members criticized U.S. aid to Pakistan, fearing that the $4-billion economic and military aid package awaiting congressional approval would harm India’s security.
Indian officials also have been concerned about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka, where the government has been fighting Tamil separatists, and a border dispute with China--issues that also could require Tiwari’s presence here.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their joint independence from Britain in 1947, and both nations are sensitive to weapons acquisitions by the other.
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