State Department's Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey made this observation on Monday when asked whether the US has any concerns about Ahmadinejad proposed visit to New Delhi and whether there had been any message sent to India about the proposed meetings. Casey said it's up to every country to determine for itself how it's going to organise its bilateral relations.
Analysts suggest that with the Indo-US nuclear deal in limbo, New Delhi could be balancing foreign policy with an eye to the polls. They say that India's sharp response to the US State Department's 'advice' on Iran was one such move. While some felt the response was a case of dangerous over-reaction, others said it was merely an act of diplomacy where relations with other countries, particularly the US, are balanced to suit India's interests.
Asked about US Ambassador India David Mulford's comments that the deal could be finalised under Bush, who is in his final year in office, State Department's deputy spokesman Tom Casey said, "There are internal political considerations in India which have not been resolved yet and it is for the Indian government to do so". The questioner had asked what sort of message Mulford intended to send when the deal is largely though to be on a backburner in the face of opposition.
''In terms of the investigation itself by Scotland Yard, we view this as a credible investigation by independent, outside experts,'' State Department spokesman Tom Casey said. ''We don't have any reason why we would question the validity of their assessment,'' he added.
The world reacted with shock and horror to the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto after an election rally in Rawalpindi.
'It was a step backward for Pakistan's democratic transition and democratic process. And that is one that ultimately would carry consequences, will carry consequences, and does carry consequences for our relationship,' State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey asserted.
Former deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage firmly denied making any such threat.
Hailing the Havana meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the US State Department on Monday said it welcomed any efforts on the parts of the two leaders to discuss "outstanding concerns".
"In terms of our views on conversations with the Chinese and representatives of the Dalai Lama, we've been calling for that for a long time. We certainly support the statements, as the president said, that the Chinese government has said that they're willing to have this meeting take place," State Department's Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said at a briefing.
"We certainly believe it's still possible for this deal to move forward and for our Congress to have an opportunity to consider it," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said. "It ain't over until it's over. And Congress will be in session for quite a ways more this year and we would certainly hope to have an opportunity to present them with this agreement and give them a chance to vote on it," he added.
Maintaining distance on the political developments in Pakistan, the US has once again said that it is up to the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to decide on her future political steps.
US State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey ruled out a deal with Pakistan.
"We'd certainly like to see that dialogue resume. As you point out, it is something that has gone on in the past and we think it's the best way to be able to manage and deal with the problems in Tibet," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said. "But I'm not in a position at this point to tell you that there's any commitments made that I'm aware of to resume that kind of high-level discussion," he said.
The United States appears determined to expand its bilateral relations with India, regardless of the outcome or the timing of the US-India civilian nuclear agreement.
The meeting is being attended by United States, Japan, the European Union and Norway.
Deputy spokesman Tom Casey said Burns has 'spoken about his willingness' to go to India but that a trip has not been formally scheduled.
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