INDO-US 3 LAST

According to Sen, there was no US pressure during the
Bush regime on resolving differences with Pakistan on Jammu
and Kashmir or viewing this as the 'so-called core cause' for
terrorism.

"The Bush administration also had close consultations
with India on developments in other neighbouring countries
and adjoining regions. These confidential consultations have
continued with the Obama Administration, including on the
Afghan-Pakistan strategy of the US," Sen said.

He said although there had been a lack of enthusiasm by
Indian and US agencies in terms of operational cooperation
against terror, there was a marked improvement in recent years
as seen after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

"Within a few hours of the attacks, I received telephone
calls from President-elect Barrack Obama and Secretary of
State (Condolezza) Rice, with assurances of active US
support," Sen who ended his tenure in the US in March this
year, said.

Sen, however, asserted that India will never be an ally
of the US 'in the traditional sense' despite an improvement in
relationships.

"There will inevitably be issues on which India and US
will have differences on approach. This includes issues in
which there are no significant divergences in terms of our
long-term objectives. Both countries will have to manage
expectations and adjust creatively and with innovation," he
said. PTI SBR