LYNG SAYS INDIA FOOD AID PACKAGE NOT READY The United States and India have not yet agreed on a food aid package to help the drought-stricken Asian country, Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng said. Lyng told Reuters in an interview that the two countries have been discussing a package but that he did not expect the specifics of the offer to be announced during Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit here this week. "We have been talking about the potential needs that India might have for both their commercial market and purchases needs as well as the possibilities of assistance," Lyng said. "At this point, there is no detailed plan or program. The amounts of what commodities are uncertain. But we have indicated to the Indians that we stand ready to assist in whatever way they deem most valuable," he said. There has been speculation in trade circles that USDA would offer India subsidized vegetable oil under the export enhancement program and donate surplus corn under Section 419 of an amended 1949 law. Lyng indicated the two countries have been unable to agree on the mix of concessional and commercial aid, and that Washington would prefer the package include something other than donated food. "The Indians are capable of purchasing a lot, of taking care of themselves. India is a country that has come a long way in its ability to produce food and they have a great pride in that," Lyng said. "We (the United States) obviously, with the surpluses we still have of many commodities..., would like to share in the import business the Indians do, and then we have some, as we always do, compassion for the people of India and would like to cooperate with them," he said. Lyng said he had no plans to meet with Indian officials during Gandhi's visit here, adding, "I just don't know of anything that might be announced specifically." Asked if "the ball was in the Indians' court," he said, "Yes." Gandhi is to leave Washington Tuesday evening.