Washington: External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna gave his perspective on the recent high-level Indo-Pak talks to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and also discussed
how India`s deep democratic tradition and expertise could be
helpful in bringing democracy to Egypt.
In a telephonic conversation, "the External Minister
gave his perspective on the recent high-level dialogue with
Pakistan," State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters.
Following the recent talks between the Foreign
Secretaries of India and Pakistan in Bhutan, the two countries
have agreed to resume their talks on all issues. The Foreign
Minister of Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Delhi in July.
The Obama Administration has welcomed the decision.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs last week had hoped
that the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan would
lead to a productive outcome.
Crowley said Krishna and Clinton also discussed Egypt
and how India could be helpful to bring democracy in the Arab
nation where longtime President Hosni Mubarak was recently
ousted in a popular uprising.
The two leaders also discussed how India, with its
strong democratic tradition and expertise, could be helpful to
Egypt which has now embarked on the path of democracy
following the resignation of Mubarak, who ruled the country
for more than 30 years.
"India has a deep democratic tradition and expertise
that may be helpful depending on what Egypt decides its needs
are," Crowley said.
Krishna also Clinton also discussed the issue of
Tri-Valley University students, the spokesman said.
"Tri-Valley was discussed and we will continue to
work together regarding a solution," Crowley said.
In a statement, the Indian Embassy here said Krishna,
in his conversation with Clinton raised the plight of the
Indian students who were registered with the dubious
Tri-Valley University and sought her personal intervention in
the matter with a view to ensuring that the interests of the
students are protected and their future is not jeopardised.
Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar had earlier raised the
issue with the Director of ICE emphasising that innocent
students should not suffer and had been assured that the US
authorities would handle this with good judgment.
The problem had also been raised with the State
Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
In response to these efforts ICE had put up guidelines
on January 28 and February 8 for the Tri-Valley students on
their website http://www.ice.gov/sevis/tri-valley-110118.htm.
The affected students have been advised to call the
Student Exchange Visitors Programme (SEVP) and provide their
specific details.
The website also indicates that SEVP will provide
options to the students, including the option to depart from
the US without an otherwise possibly applicable bar to
re-admission in the future.
PTI
