Rao, Burns discuss agenda for Krishna-Hillary talks

Ahead of the India-US strategic dialogue in Washington next week, US Undersecretary of State William Burns on Monday held discussions with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to firm up the agenda for the talks.

Ahead of the India-US strategic dialogue in Washington next week, US Undersecretary of State William Burns on Monday held discussions with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to firm up the agenda for the talks.

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Rao and Burns discussed issues related to expanding cooperation in counter-terrorism, trade, education, agriculture, energy and health which have been identified for the strategic dialogue.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will leave for Washington on June 1 for the three-day visit which will be co-chaired by his counterpart, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia will be accompanying Krishna. Rao will join the Indian delegation in Washington from Beijing.

This will be the first ministerial-level strategic dialogue between the two countries which are expanding their global partnership across a wide swathe of areas. Clinton had announced the dialogue during her visit to India in July last year.

The talks between Krishna and Clinton are also expected to lay the groundwork for US President Barack Obama's visit to India later this year.