The inaugural India-US strategic dialogue at the level of their foreign ministers, to be held in Washington on Thursday, will lay the ground for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India later this year. It will cover bilateral issues such as export controls, education, energy, climate change and counter-terrorism. External affairs minister S.M. Krishna and his American counterpart Hillary Clinton will also discuss a host of regional and global issues.
Robert Blake, the US assistant secretary for south and central Asian affairs, has said in Washington that in terms of the region, the most important focus would be Afghanistan as it was “a very, very high priority for both of our countries”, followed by Pakistan and, possibly, Iran.
Specifically, the Indian side would be keen to tie up loose ends so that it gets direct access to 26/11 plotter David Coleman Headley.
However, Mr Blake was evasive. He said in Washington that it was for the department of justice to comment on whether the US will give India access to Headley.
The Americans, in turn, would be looking to hear about the nuclear liability legislation and the proposed foreign education bill that will allow foreign direct investment in the Indian education sector. When passed by Parliament, the nuclear liability legislation will make it possible for American companies to enter into commercial contracts for the setting up of nuclear power plants in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
“... we’re not frustrated. We think that this — we trust Prime Minister Singh’s judgment on this. And our main interest is in making sure that the legislation that is passed is compliant with the Convention on Supplementary Compensation,” Mr Blake said when asked about the delay by India in getting the nuclear liability legislation passed.
Human resource development minister Kapil Sibal, deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and minister of state of science and technology Prithviraj Chavan would join Mr Krishna for the strategic dialogue. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, department of biotechnology secretary M.K. Bhan, special secretary (internal security) U.K. Bansal from the home ministry, and joint secretary (americas) Gaitri Kumar from the external affairs ministry would also be a part of the Indian delegation. Mr Ahluwalia is the co-chair of the dialogues on economy, agriculture and energy. Mr Sibal will co-chair the dialogue on education.
The India-US strategic dialogue will take place after the US has held similar dialogues with China and Pakistan.