Sanctions - the carrot follows the stick.

Credible fears have risen about a south-east Asian style economic collapse taking place in south Asia. In particular the already fragile Pakistani economy has faced severe pressure with the onset of sanctions. The Indian economy, though less susceptible to external pressure will also feel a serious crunch primarily in stunted additional growth. The US government that has had its hands tied under American law so far, has finally persuaded the Senate to vote in favor of granting the administration the power to waive the sanctions for the period of 1 year as a means of persuading India and Pakistan to scale down their nuclear military programs.

The waiver does not apply to military sales and technology.

Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl F Inderfurth, has indicated that the administration does not plan to make use of the waiver until "until such time as substantial progress has been achieved on US non-proliferation objectives," which include the signing "immediately and without condition," of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the two countries. More posturing, or is an end to this unfortunate business finally in sight?