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Clinton's visit to

India not a sign

of absolute approval

WASHINGTON: President Bill Clinton's upcoming visit to India is not a sign of Washington's absolute approval of the country's policies and will focus on issues of deep concern to the United States, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said on Monday.

"The trip is one that will be important, but it is not just a sign that everything has been dealt with and all the problems have been resolved," Albright told reporters.

She specifically referred to India's ongoing conflict with Pakistan over the disputed province of Kashmir and nuclear non-proliferation issues, but said Washington was keen to keep ties with New Delhi on solid footing.

Despite heavy US pressure neither India nor Pakistan have signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a subject that Clinton is likely to raise with Indian officials.ÑAFP