Washington: US Deputy Secretary of State
William Burns is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week to
discuss a "whole gamut" of relationship with top Indian
leaders.
On his maiden trip to India as the Deputy Secretary of
State - the most powerful position in the US State Department
after the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton – Burns’ visit is
reflective of the high-level engagement between the two
countries in the aftermath of the Bali meet between Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack
Obama.
Burns, who is expected to leave on December 10, is likely
to have his official meetings in New Delhi on December 12 with
Prime Minister Singh, External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna, National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, sources said.
The top American diplomat, who personally sees 'India
file' at the State Department, is expected to discuss with the
Indian leaders a "whole gamut" of relationship, which includes
the bilateral ties and the situation in the region including
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Burns would leave for a quick trip of Southeast Asia,
including Vietnam before returning to India for the second leg
of his visit.
Burns, sources said, is expected to return to India in
less than a week to Mumbai and Pune for the second leg of his
trip which is likely to focus on economic and education
aspects of the bi-lateral ties.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 06, 2011, 09:55