India, US may reach consensus on top priority areas:Jaitley

Davos, Jan 23: Ahead of US President Barack Obama's India visit, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the two countries should be able to reach consensus on areas that are of top priority for cooperation between them.

Without specifically mentioning the areas, Jaitley said the two countries share a mature relationship and there were many areas where they already agree to each other.

To a question on whether there were some problems in negotiations over nuclear matters, Jaitley said, "I am not privy to the talks at the moment and it will not be fair for me to comment on that". He was speaking here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting.

The Union Finance Minister, who arrived here on January 21 for a three-day visit to attend WEF meeting, said he certainly expects positive outcome from the Obama visit. "India and US have a matured relationship.

There is a large number of areas where we agree with each other. There are also some areas where we may not come to a particular common view point but that is the maturity of our relationship that it will still survive despite those differences.

"My view is that in areas that are on top priority for cooperation, we should be able to reach a conclusion," he added. When asked if these areas would include climate change and nuclear issues, Jaitley said, "We have different approaches to climate change and therefore to have a common stand, it is for those involved in the negotiations to comment.

"India is doing its own bit on climate change. We are coming out with more programmes on renewable energy than any other country in the world."

PTI