Clinton’s visit to India ‘certain’

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (PTI) — US President Bill Clinton will visit India early next year even if he is unable to go to Pakistan, Washington’s Ambassador to New Delhi Richard Celeste has said.

“I am very convinced that Mr Clinton will go forward with his trip to South Asia. He will certainly come to India...”, Mr Celeste said, discounting speculations that the military coup in Pakistan would jeopardise the presidential visit.

“...I don’t believe that events in Pakistan will influence whether or not the President makes his trip here to India,” Mr Celeste said addressing the Indian American Forum for Political Education and other organisations in a video conference from New Delhi yesterday.

Mr Clinton might also visit one or two other places in South Asia, he said adding that “I cannot give you an answer on that score.”