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Singh assures China, Pakistan on its US ties NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY Washington had barred providing atomic technology to India because of New Delhi's status as a nuclear power that has refused to sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the main global pact designed to halt the spread of nuclear weapons. The U.S. policy shift has been challenged by some members of Congress, who have crafted amendments to block any sale of nuclear technology to India as long as it remains outside the NPT framework. But Singh overall received a warm American welcome, which underscored Washington's recognition of India as a rising power and potential counterweight to China. "It is incredibly important the United States and India build on their relationship," said House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom Delay on Wednesday, a day after Singh received a lengthy standing ovation for a speech to Congress. In contrast to Singh's red carpet treatment, China's foreign exchange policies, trade surpluses and the Chinese oil firm CNOOC's offer to buy the American oil producer Unocal have all come under harsh criticism by U.S. lawmakers. American experts on India say that New Delhi values its growing ties with Beijing and would be extremely wary of entering any kind of U.S. arrangement directed against China. Asked if India viewed itself as a balancer against China, Singh said: "I
believe the world is big enough to accommodate the interests of both China and
India."
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