CIA chief Panetta meets Chidambaram

United States’ Central Intelligence Agency chief Leon Panetta on Thursday met Home Minister P Chidambaram and discussed various issues including terrorism and unrest in neighbouring Pakistan.

United States’ Central Intelligence Agency chief Leon Panetta on Thursday met Home Minister P Chidambaram and discussed various issues including terrorism and unrest in neighbouring Pakistan.

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During the meeting, the two sides expressed satisfaction on close cooperation between India and the US during the Mumbai terror strikes on November 26 last year, official sources said.

The two sides also looked for new ways of forging closer alliance between the two countries in their fight against terrorism, they said.

Panetta, who arrived here late last night, will be holding discussions with Intelligence Bureau Chief Rajiv Mathur.

Panetta, who is scheduled to go to Pakistan from India, will also meet National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and RAW Chief K C Verma to discuss the security situation in the neighbourhood -- Pakistan and Afghanistan.

This is the third high-level visit by an US official to India since 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes, which began with Director of National Intelligence John Michel McConnell visiting the country in the third week of December last year.

The CIA chief’s visit followed that by FBI Director Mueller on March 3.

The CIA Chief will also hold talks with the country’s top intelligence officials on security cooperation.
Panetta, who chose India as his first overseas visit since assuming office, arrived in New Delhi along with Peter Burleigh, a retired American career diplomat, as “Interim Ambassador” to India who will be Charge d’ Affairs until the Obama administration finalises its nominee for the post.