Clinton aide's presence not connected to Bt Brinjal: US embassy (Lead)

New Delhi, Feb 9

US diplomat Nina Fedoroff, science and technology adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arrived in the capital late Monday on an invitation from Indian scientists.

Fedoroff made it to New Delhi just hours before India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh placed a moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified brinjal in the country, pending further tests.

The timing of Fedoroff's visit led to speculation, as in the past she has often urged Indian industry to boost research and development for transgenic crops like Bt Brinjal.

But the US embassy and the environment ministry denied that Fedoroff's visit had anything to do with the decision on Bt Brinjal.

"Dr Nina Fedoroff is in New Delhi on the invitation of the Indian scientific community. Her visit has no connection with India's decision on Bt Brinjal," a US embassy spokesperson told IANS.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh also confirmed to IANS that he had not met Fedoroff Tuesday.

Last updated on Feb 9^th, 2010 at 18:06 pm IST--IANS

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