Indians wary of US pressure

By Jyotsna Singh BBC correspondent in Delhi

People in the Indian capital, Delhi, are divided on the likely impact of US envoy Richard Armitage's visit to the region.

America has a history of interfering in others' affairs for the sake of its own interest

Sanjay
history student

They feel America can and is playing a role in India-Pakistan relations, but many say peace can never be brought under pressure.

"Peace is always between the people, here it involves the people of India and Pakistan," Sanjay, a history student at Jawaharlal Nehru University, told BBC News Online.

"America cannot do anything if the leadership in the two countries do not want it."

Meena Grover, an office assistant, thought the trip would have real benefits for ties between the nuclear rivals.

"America is a big power. It can definitely play a role in improving relations between India and Pakistan," she said.

"Mr Armitage's visit must be beneficial in that regard."

'Interfering'

There are others, though, who view America's role in the region with a great deal of suspicion.

After the war on Iraq America started talking about peace in South Asia and turning its attention to the region

Delhi resident Mukesh Sharma

"Basically, America always keeps its own interests supreme and even here it will see its own interest," says Delhi resident Mukesh Sharma.

"They just pretend to be peacekeepers - but America's desire to sell arms to the region and the wish to find a foothold in South Asia will guide its policies in the region."

Sanjay, the history student, agrees.

"America has a history of interfering in others' affairs for the sake of its own interest.

"China is proving to be a big headache for them in Asia.

"They want to take on China and for that purpose they want to find a permanent hold in Kashmir," he said.

His friend, Vivek, thought the US could play a role in resolving the tension. "But America can never do anything by non-violent means."

'US pressure'

Some blame Pakistan for not taking peace efforts seriously.

There is American pressure involved in all this

Vivek

"It is possible to make the region peaceful if Pakistan does not make a mockery of it," said Anupam, an official in the state statistics department.

"Every time peace is attempted we become serious, but they don't."

And many think India and Pakistan are talking peace because of US pressure.

"After the war on Iraq America started talking about peace in South Asia and turning its attention to the region," Mukesh Sharma says.

"Such statements may have put pressure on the two leaders to get ready for peace, even if no direct pressure was applied by America."

Vivek thought similarly.

"America is such a big country, India or any country in the world for that matter has some kind of economic and political link with that country.

"Nobody can put that interest at risk. So there is American pressure involved in all this."