``Our administration is opposed to further easing of economic sanctions against India and Pakistan at this time...,'' US assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs Karl F Inderfurth told a congressional sub-committee.

Deposing before the senate sub-committee on near east and South Asia chaired by Senator Sam Brownback, Inderfurth insisted on a gradual, step-by-step easing of sanctions linked to progress by both nations on US non-proliferation goals.

Reacting to brownback's announcement that he would seek an amendment to the defence bill for suspending sanctions against india and pakistan for five years, Inderfurth said that the administration was opposed to any blanket suspension of sanctions.

``What the administration wants is waiverauthority for beyond October when the present waiver lapses,'' he said.

During the committee hearings, Brownback, rapped the Clinton administration for linking improved ties with New Delhi on India's adherence to CTBT while ignoring the Cox committee's sensational disclosures on China.