New Delhi: The US today said its partnership
with India is the "real key" to global order and the
invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the first
state visit to Washington during Obama Administration reflects
the very high priority accorded to the country.
Under Secretary of State William Burns, who met External
Affairs Minister S M Krishna here, said he was very optimistic
about the prospects of further progress in relationship
between two countries in the months and years ahead.
"It`s no accident but Prime Minister Singh`s visit will
be the first state visit to Washinghton during Obama
Administration. That reflects the very high priority that
President (Barack) Obama, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and the
entire Administration attaches to our relationship with
India," he told reporters.
"I am convinced that the Indo-US partnership is the real
key to global order and global prosperity in the 21st
century," he said.
Noting that the main focus of his trip here is to help
prepare for the Prime Minister`s state visit to Washington
next month, Burns said he had an excellent meeting with
Krishna and has a very full schedule till tomorrow.
Singh will be in Washington on a bilateral visit on
November 24 at the invitation of Obama.
"We have a very rich agenda of cooperation and
partnership between US and India on a wide range of regional
and global issues before us ranging from health to education,
nuclear cooperation, defence to clean energy and climate
change," Burns said.
The US official will meet National Security Adviser M K
Narayanan and hold talks with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao
tomorrow.
During the meetings, the two sides will discuss agenda
for Singh`s Washington visit and take stock of the probe being
conducted by Pakistan into the Mumbai attacks.
India is likely to convey its disappointment over
Pakistan`s dilly-dallying in taking action against Jamaat-ud
Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed despite being given evidence about his
role in the Mumbai attacks.
New Delhi is also likely to voice its concerns over the
US aid to Pakistan for fighting terror, which is being
diverted for other activities.
Bureau Report
