US to cooperate with India in counter terrorism

Washington, Oct 21: A high-level US delegation, led by Under Secretary of State for political affairs Nicholas Burns will visit New Delhi next month to discuss prospects of stepping up its cooperation with India regarding counter-terrorism.

Talking to mediapersons here yesterday, Mr Burns said the discussion would take place under the auspices of the joint working on counter-terrorism. ''We owe this to India because we are friends and strategic partners,'' he said.

Asked about the US-India civilian nuclear deal, which awaits Senate's approval, he said, it continued to be a ''top legislative priority'' for the Bush administration.

He said that the administration was trying its best to ensure that the Senate takes up the issue immediately after it reassembles for the lame-duck session after the November 7 mid-term election.

Mr Burns said that the administration was confident that the agreement would see through the Senate as it happened in the case of House of Representatives.

He did not see any impact of the North Korean nuclear test on the the US agreement with India.

The Under Secretary said the US wanted to move forward its strategic ties with India in an ambitious way.

UNI