Peace through triangulation

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One year after India and Pakistan defiantly tested their nuclear bombs, their triangular dialogue with the United States playing middleman appears to be leading to nuclear restraint. And now after the conclusion of eight rounds of talks by the United States with India and Pakistan, there is general optimism that this will resolve matters like the signing of the CTBT (comprehensive test ban treaty) by the two neighbours.

In October 1998, the American Congress voted to provide limited authority to the president to waive economic sanctions against both the countries, which he did soon after. Some analysts believe that this was done specifically to bale out Pakistan's tottering economy. Which is possibly true, but the fact remains that India itself has not scored too badly at the talks, namely, in the form of possible restoration of defence ties with the US.

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