New Delhi
April 20, 1999

In response to a question, the MEA Official Spokesman stated the following:

We have seen the comment attributed to the US State Department Spokesman. We believe that it is not appropriate to make such pronouncements in the course of a process of democratic transition.

India has been engaged in an intensive dialogue with a number of countries including the United States on matters related to disarmament and non-proliferation with a view to harmonizing our respective points of view. There is no question of so-called "non-proliferation demands". India does not accept any such "demands".

As regards India-Pakistan issues, there is a bilateral process underway, which will continue.