DATE=7/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235706
TITLE=INDIA NUCLEAR (S)
BYLINE=DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  DEPUTY U-S SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT IS HOLDING 
TALKS IN INDIA IN EFFORTS TO NARROW DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 
WASHINGTON AND NEW DELHI ON NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION.  V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS FROM THE INDIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT:  MR. TALBOTT MET WITH INDIAN FOREIGN POLICY ADVISER JASWANT
SINGH.  THIS IS THE THIRD ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO WHO MET 
EARLIER IN FRANKFURT AND WASHINGTON.

AN OFFICIAL SILENCE SURROUNDS THE DISCUSSIONS DUE TO THEIR 
SENSITIVE NATURE.  THE UNITED STATES WANTS INDIA TO SIGN THE 
COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY UNCONDITIONALLY.  NEW DELHI HAS 
INDICATED IT COULD BE WILLING TO JOIN THE TREATY IF INDIA IS 
GIVEN THE STATUS OF A NUCLEAR WEAPONS STATE. 

MR. TALBOTT ALSO MEETS WITH INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI 
VAJPAYEE AND INTERIOR MINISTER LAL KRISHNA ADVANI MONDAY.  THE 
U-S ENVOY HOLDS ONE MORE SESSION OF TALKS TUESDAY (WITH JASWANT 
SINGH) BEFORE GOING TO PAKISTAN FOR SIMILAR DISCUSSIONS.

INDIA AND PAKISTAN CONDUCTED NUCLEAR TESTS IN MAY, PROMPTING 
INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. WASHINGTON 
WANTS BOTH NATIONS TO SIGN THE TEST BAN TREATY.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DAB/TM/WTW

20-Jul-98 2:42 AM EDT (0642 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.