First India-US Strategic Dialogue Washington today
First India-US Strategic Dialogue Washington today
India and the US are set to hold their first Strategic Dialogue in Washington today. The two countries are expected to discuss the Af-Pak situation and bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation during the talks.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is leading a high-power delegation including HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chauhan and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao. The talks will be held in the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department .
Ahead of the meeting, the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said it will be an important occasion for both the countries to set their sights on new milestones as the two countries share interests ranging from counter-terrorism to nuclear security to Afghanistan. Mr Krishna reiterated that India is committed to putting in place a nuclear liability regime. Addressing the US-India Business Council in Washington, Mr Krishna said, India is well within the agreed timeline on the implementation of the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
The US President Barack Obama, in a special gesture will attend a reception to be hosted in Washington by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her Indian counterpart S M Krishna. US National Security Council spokesman, Mike Hammer, said that during the reception Obama will highlight opportunities for increased bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, trade, energy and climate change.
Obama’s gesture to attend the reception tonight for the External Affairs Minister is being considered as rare on the part of the US President.
