Vajpayee defends nuclear policy

The US fears an arms race in South Asia

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has defended his country's nuclear weapons programme in an address to a joint session of the US Congress in Washington.

In a speech which was interrupted by applause at several points, Mr Vajpayee said that differences on security issues had cast a shadow over bilateral ties.

We wish you to understand our security concerns

Atal Behari Vajpayee

"India understands your concerns. We do not wish to unravel your non-proliferation efforts", he said.

"We wish you to understand our security concerns," he added.

The US imposed a range of sanctions on India in 1998 after it carried out a series of nuclear tests, and wants India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Pakistan also carried out nuclear tests, leading to fears of a nuclear arms race in South Asia.

Mr Vajpayee sought to highlight common ground with the US saying that both countries shared a commitment to eliminating nuclear weapons, and both had declared moratoriums on testing.

Terrorism

Mr Vajpayee's speech did not mention Pakistan by name.

But he did refer to "outside forces" seeking to "unravel the territorial integrity of India".

No region is a greater source of terrorism than our neighbourhood

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

"No region is a greater source of terrorism than our neighbourhood," he said, denouncing the use of religious war as an instrument of state policy.

India accuses Pakistan of sponsoring militant separatists fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir.

Mr Vajpayee hailed the progress in relations between India and the US, referring to shared values between the two countries.

Mr Vajpayee stressed co-operation in IT

"As we embark on our common endeavour to build a new relationship, we must give practical shape to our shared belief that democracies can be friends, partners and allies."

He also spoke of new areas of co-operation in business, trade, IT and science and technology.

Health concerns

The speech was Mr Vajpayee's first major engagement on his visit to Washington.

He is to hold talks with President Clinton on Friday.

During his visit to the United States, Mr Vajpayee will also meet the two presidential candidates, Vice-President Al Gore and his Republican rival, George W Bush.

However, Mr Vajpayee will have to cut short his visit and return to India early for surgery on a damaged knee.