Jaswant, Talbott skirt contentious issues
It's still a long long way before happy days will be here again, but some of the blues over Indo-US relations appears to have lifted with the first high-level political contact on Friday between New Delhi and Washington after India's convulsive nuclear tests last month. At least that was the impression one got after hearing the Indian version of the talks following a two-and-a-half hour meeting between Acting Secretary of State Strobe Talbott and BJP leader and special envoy Jaswant Singh.

Beyond the news -- Jaswant presents a new diplomatic signature
Polished, measured and forthright, BJP leader Jaswant Singh was a picture of no-nonsense rectitude and savvy precision in his first foray as India's special political envoy on a delicate mission to repair ties with Washington. Despite the universal opprobrium New Delhi has earned for its nuclear tests, there has not been a trace of supplication or solicitation from Singh during his week in the US at a time when India's image is taking a battering.

Envoy seeks closer ties between China, US
Beijing's Ambassador says nuclear testing by India and Pakistan and the Asian financial crisis highlight the need for his Communist country and the United States to become allies. China recently chaired a Geneva meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which condemned the May nuclear tests. Beijing, meanwhile, has also agreed not to devalue its currency in order to prevent another Asian wave of falling currencies.

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