HVK Archives: 'US getting to appreciate BJP leader'
'US getting to appreciate BJP leader' - The Daily
Posted By Krishnakant Udavant (kkant@bom2.vsnl.net.in)
3 August 1997
Title: 'US getting to appreciate BJP leader'
Author:
Publication: The Daily
Date: August 3, 1997
There is now a greater understanding of the BJP's policy among the US
leaders, the senior BJP leader, Murli Manohar Joshi has said, reports PTI.
Joshi told correspondents that he told the US officials that the BJP is a
national and not a communal organisation as is commonly, characterised in
the United State's.
BJP leader, who came here on a brief visit after attending a United Nations
development programme session in New York, met under-secretary of state
Thomas Pickering, Senator Tim Johnson, Congressman Benjamin Gilman,
chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and Congressman
John Linder and discussed: the BJP's policies, programmes and philosophy.
The comparatively high level at which the state department decided to treat
Joshi is taken by analysts here as an indication that the BJP is certainly
a major factor now in Indian politics though, despite being the largest
political party in Parliament, it was not able to sustain the government at
the Centre.
However, it is noted here, it was able to engage in successful coalition
politics in the Punjab and Maharashtra.
The US policy is at odds with that of not only the BJP but also with the
present government on such key issues as missiles, nuclear
non-proliferation and so on. However, it has widely been acknowledged that
the BJP's views can no longer be ignored.
His meeting with Senator Johnson, the observers point out, would be helpful
especially to Johnson. Since defeating Senator Pressler in the last
election, the Pakistanis have been acting as though he is the Senator from
Pakistan.
One area where Joshi's visit is viewed as particularly helpful was his
reassurance to the Americans that on major economic and other issues, there
is indeed a national consensus in India and this will not change whichever
party is in power.
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