Boucher arrives on Friday

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) Richard Boucher, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, will arrive here on Friday for talks aimed at strengthening the India-US strategic partnership and common efforts to fight terrorism.

Mr Boucher, who arrives on a four-day visit, will have meetings with officials, political and business leaders and civil society members on a wide range of issues, the American Embassy said.

The India visit is part of a trip that includes stops in the UAE, China, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

In India, his itinerary includes Kolkata besides the national capital.

Mr Boucher will pursue the agenda outlined by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W Bush to advance the India-US strategic partnership and review regional and global issues and common efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism, the embassy said.

In Kolkata, he will have meetings with officials and representatives of the civic community, it said.

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