New Delhi, May 26: The new government will continue to engage with the US in a "constructive" manner to further strengthen bilateral ties in all areas and work together to eliminate the menace of terrorism, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said today. "We will continue to engage our American friends" in a "constructive manner" as the government would like to "further strengthen, deepen and widen Indo-US relations in all areas", he told a news agency.
New Delhi has conveyed its desire to have the "closest relations" with the US when Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned Singh soon after he assumed office.
About his meeting with American ambassador David Mulford who called on him to deliver a letter from Powell, Singh said he had emphasised the importance of the two countries working together to combat terrorism.
"I told him it is in the interest of the US, India and the international community to underscore the cordiality and intensity of Indo-US relations," he said.
On his part, Mulford briefed the minister on the evolving situation in Iraq.
US under Secretary for Defence and policy Douglas Feith will be coming here next week for the meeting of the Defence Policy Group when he holds parleys with Defence Secretary Ajay Prasad.
Bureau Report