WASHINGTON, July 18: President George Bush’s concept of ‘de-hyphenation’ plays a pivotal role in the new US approach towards South Asia. The Bush administration defines this ‘de-hyphenation’ as separating its relations with India from its ties with Pakistan and dealing with each country individually.

At a recent briefing on US policies for South and Central Asian regions, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher explained this ‘de-hyphenation’ with practical examples. He strongly rejected India’s objections to a $5 billion arms package the United States is offering to Pakistan and Islamabad’s objections to a nuclear deal Washington is offering to New Delhi, making it clear that it will not allow one to influence its relations with the other.

“Our sale is based on what we think are legitimate needs of Pakistan, defensive purposes,” said Mr Boucher when asked to comment on India’s objections to the F-16 offer. “And we proceed on that basis, not on the basis of what other people think or don’t think about it,” he added.

Mr Boucher was equally forthright in rejecting the suggestion that Pakistan should get a similar nuclear deal that Washington is offering to New Delhi.

“I have not seen any proposal … to make a similar sale to another country along the lines of the one with India,” he said. “We certainly believe that the situation with India is unique. That’s the way we’ve approached this agreement, that’s the way we’ve pursued it.”

In the current US strategy for South and Central Asia, Pakistan continues to be a key ally in the war against terror. “No country has done more to fight Al Qaeda or has lost more people in doing so than Pakistan,” Mr Boucher declared.

Pakistan is also an essential part of a trade corridor that the US desires to see emerging, a corridor that could link three strategically important regions, Central and South Asia and the Middle East.

In his briefing, Mr Boucher mentioned at least two US-supported projects that seek to link Central Asia with South Asia.