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India to convey infiltration concerns to Powell

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

India will convey its concerns about the present situation on the Line of Control, including the continuing infiltration during United States Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit commencing on Saturday.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said, "It (the infiltration) is the cause of major concern and the fact that Pakistan's support, its aid to agencies promoting cross-border terrorism who have a personal agenda of terrorist activity directed against India."

"Our concerns about all these matters will be highlighted (during Powell's visit)," she added.

"But let me also add that apart from the situation in the region, we will also discuss Indo-US bilateral relations. And as you know that the dialogue between the two countries is acquiring greater and greater substance. We have a great deal to discuss," the MEA spokeswoman said.

She said the situation in South Asia and Afghanistan would also be discussed, although the 'orientation of Powell's visit was the bilateral aspect between the two countries'.

She said Powell is arriving on Saturday afternoon and in the evening he would be meeting External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha. There would be delegation-level talks followed by a dinner hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs in honour of the visiting dignitary, who is likely to be accompanied by the US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca.

Rao said Powell would also be meeting the National Security Advisor and Principal Secretary to the prime minister, Brajesh Mishra.

Powell is also expected to call on Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, she said, adding that the secretary of state would be leaving for Islamabad on Sunday around 1100 hours.

She discounted the likelihood of a joint press conference being held by Powell and Sinha, saying that 'the chances of their interaction with the media are remote'.

Following a question, she said that Powell would not be meeting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but was quick to add: "Please don't read anything into it. Don't draw wrong conclusions."

Rao contended that Powell had met Vajpayee when he visited New Delhi on the last occasion.

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