WASHINGTON. Dec 31: It is in the interest of the United States to form a "broad, balanced and integrated strategy towards South Asia." a study' by a leading think tank here has said.

The report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the foreign policy challenges confronting the US as it prepares to enter the next millennium said it was imperative that Washington’s policy in the subcontinent be "sustainable over the long term as this region will be increasingly vital to American welfare and security."

It said, "South Asia’s fate will increasingly influence the world with regard to economic growth, regional conflicts, environmental protection, the advancement of human rights, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, narcotics trafficking and terrorism."

The report was the culmination of a two-year study chaired by Zbigniew Brzezinski. National Security Adviser in the administration of former President Jimmy Carter, and two of the foremost foreign policy experts in Congress — Rep Lee Hamilton, the ranking minority member in the House International Relations Committee. and Sen. Richard Lugar of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

After India's nuclear tests last May, Brzezinski, in several articles and interviews, said the US reaction of condemning New Delhi was hypocritical considering Washington's arsenal of nuclear weapons and its turning a blind eye to Israel's underground tests'

He said instead of picking on India, the US should be going after China because Beijing's proliferation and clandestine transfers to third countries had exacerbated the security threat perceptions of New Delhi.

The study, titled "Foreign Policy into the 21st Century: The US Leadership Challenge." said in its section on the subcontinent that an American strategy towards South Asia should be based on vital interests, important interests and beneficial interests.

In terms of vital interests, the study said Washington should "ensure continued US military, commercial and political access to. as well as transit through, the region."

It said the US has a "vital

Interest in preventing any one power or combination of powers from limiting US access to the region through exclusionary economic groupings or other means."

The study said it was imperative that the US contain nuclear and missile proliferation in the region since the capabilities of India and Pakistan and the tensions between them "make South Asia an area with great potential for nuclear exchange."

"Preventing the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles in the region is a vital interest, particularly if one considers the proximity of South Asia to China, Iran and Central Asian countries," it said.

The report said "the immediate focus of the United States should be to head off the deployment of ballisUc missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads."

It acknowledged that it would be difficult to "compel India and Pakistan to sign the NPT {Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)" and this suggested the developing of "mutual trust through measures such as cooperation in joint peacekeeping operations under the UN. dialogues on strategic issues and increased military contacts."

The study said Washington should urge New Delhi and Islamabad "to improve relations through dialogue on issues not related to Kashmir" and focus on jointly declaring a "no first use" of nuclear weapons, agreeing on a pull-back of troops from Siachen and working out programmes on joint narcotics control.

However, it recommended that the US should also seek ways to help "ripen" prospects for a "political solution of the Kashmir situation."

With regard to important interests, the study emphasised closer economic integration with the region and noted that US businesses "stand to reap significant economic benefits from investment in South Asia." It said India's middle class alone, which numbers more than 250 million, makes the region perhaps the biggest emerging market.

The study said since the American business community has taken the lead in investment in India. Washington's foreign policy towards New Delhi and the region will be of

"paramount importance" in securing a "competitive advantage vis-a-vis European and Aslan countries."

It said that the US has a "long-term interest in promoting transitions to market economies in South Asia." "Accelerated economic growth in India, Pakistan and other South Asian countries and the further integration of these countries into the world economy," the study predicted, "should enhance regional and political stability."

In urging Washington to play a catalytic role in this process. the study said such an involvement should "include the formation of a regional trading block under SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and ultimate integration of India and its regional partners into Asia through bilateral relationships with individual Asian countries."

The study said such a process should also include membership for South Asian countries in forums such as the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Asia Free Trade Area (AFTA).

In terms of beneficial interests. the report said, the US should play a role in the socioeconomic development of South Asia. Abdication of such a role, it warned, could exacerbate rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation in South Asia which could result in global warming and environmental degradation.

The study said US assistance to South Asian countries to meet their development challenges "are essential in addressing population growth, poverty control, education and environmental concerns."

It lauded India and Srl Lanka, noting that democracy held strong in these countries despite ethnic, religious and sub-national conflicts.

The study called for bolstering of this phenomenon through "US-South Asian exchanges involving NGOs (nongovernmental organisations), legislators and human rights organisations."

It declared that "South Asia under democratic rule will bolster political stability and economic and social development, thus paving the way for peace in the region."

— India Abroad News Service