January 6, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 21, 1422

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KATHMANDU, Jan 5: India feels there is no need for the United States to send a special envoy to South Asia to defuse tension between New Delhi and Islamabad, Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh said on Saturday.

“I don’t see the need for a special envoy. I am not aware of any such move. It has not been discussed at my level,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a South Asian summit in Kathmandu.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Friday that Washington might soon send a peace envoy to mediate in the India-Pakistan crisis which had created a very dangerous situation. Singh also said that Indian forces would remain on alert after Pakistan on Friday alleged that India was continuing a build-up at the countries’ common border.

“Pakistan is an ally to the US. Good luck to the US,” Singh said.—AFP