US Protectionism, Indo-Pak Joint Statement Figure Prominently in Talks with Clinton

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other key leaders on Monday. In his meeting with Singh, Indian business community’s concern over growing US protectionism topped the agenda, while Leader of Opposition LK Advani, in another meeting, had talks on Indo-Pak Joint statement with Clinton.

In the meeting with Clinton at PMO, Singh pointed out that the Indian business community was concerned over the growing protectionism.

According to sources, Clinton, however, insisted that the US did not have protectionist policies.

It should be noted that India has been fretting over protectionism in the US that has been increasing in view of the economic crisis, affecting industry in this country.

In the face of the situation, India has stressed that the developed nations should not take resort to protectionism, for it might worsen the situations, particularly in the developing countries.

In the meantime, LK Advani, in another meeting, told Clinton that the Joint Statement by India and Pakistan delinking terrorism from composite dialogue had “tried to disrupt the national consensus” among political parties in India on the issue.

Besides, Advani expressed his dissatisfaction over the reference to Balochistan in the statement, arguing that it puts India “in the dock” on disruptive activities in the region.

“In India, all political parties were one after 26/11 that till Pakistan takes strong measures there cannot be further progress….This joint statement has tried to disrupt the national consensus,” senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said quoting Advani on his talks with Clinton.

Swaraj said that the Joint Statement issued by India and Pakistan in Sharm-el Sheikh, Egypt was the main topic of discussion between Advani and Clinton.

“We are in favour of good relations with the US but any action against this consensus will not get the country’s support,” Advani told Clinton.

“Therefore we should not succumb and try to placate others.”

Advani also expressed his ire over the reference to Balochistan in the statement.

“The statement has named Balochistan as if we are doing something there…as if we are in the dock,” Advani told Clinton, according to Swaraj.