Hillary Clinton arrives in India for strategic dialogue

New Delhi, JUl 19: Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of States, arrived in India on late night Jul 18 for the second strategic dialogue between the two countries. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in April this year, but was postponed.

Counter terror co-operation, nuclear co-operation, Afghanistan, Pakistan and East Asia will form a major part of her agenda during the visit. According to reports, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cyber-terrorism will be signed as well.

There will be dialogue on some low-profile subjects like energy, education, trade and investment and e-governance, as well.

Nirupama Rao, India's foreign secretary has been quoted as saying, "Counter terrorism dialogue with the US very crucial. Both countries have suffered great losses and realise the need of counter terrorism."

According to the buzz in the diplomatic circles, India will also raise irritants in the bilateral relationship among which are the setback to NSG transfers of enrichment and reprocessing technologies, US visa curbs for skilled Indian IT workers and the treatment of Indian students and diplomats in America.

Clinton, is here with a 25-member delegation among which some are of ministerial rank.

Despite Hillary Clinton's arrival a few days after the 13/7 Mumbai serial blasts, there is little chance of India officially seeking US assistance in the investigations. However, it may be a topic during the discussions on counter-terrorism cooperation.

OneIndia News