Hillary’s India Visit Starts Friday
In ensuing visit of US Secretary f State Hillary Clinton starting friday, “an enhanced US-India strategic partnership” offering solutions to the challenges of 21st century will be top agenda of discussions.
State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said that Clinton, who is on her first visit to India as chief US diplomat, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, other government officials, the leader of the opposition, entrepreneurs, scientists, and youth.
“She will discuss with Krishna the structure and elements of an enhanced US-India strategic partnership that will enable us to advance solutions to the defining challenges of our time and to enhance global prosperity and stability in the 21st century,” he told media persons.
In Mumbai, Clinton will meet with a broad cross section of Indian society and will remember the victims of the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks before travelling to New Delhi July 19. Clinton leaves for Thailand July 21.
Kelly, who will be part of US team, said that Clinton had no plans of stopping by or visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan during her trip.
“I’m sure that she will visit Afghanistan and Pakistan, but not on this visit. It’s just to India and Thailand,” he said.
Clinton had given the first broad exposition of Washington’s agenda for India at the US-India Business Council’s (USIBC) Synergies Summit here last month with a pledge to build what she called the “US-India 3.0” relationship representing the next stage in their evolving ties.
