JOIN US Obama, himself, is expected to attend and deliver remarks during a reception that Clinton would host in honour of Krishna on the same day. The two countries may announce setting up of a joint Clean Energy Research Centre at the end of the Strategic Dialogue.
The Strategic Dialogue was launched by Krishna and Clinton during the latter’s visit to New Delhi last year.
The broad-based format for parlance between New Delhi and Washington includes dialogue on cooperation in 18 different sectors, broadly categorised under ‘five pillars’ – strategic cooperation; energy and climate change; education and development; economic, trade and agriculture; and lastly science, technology, health and innovation. The situation in Af-Pak, India’s role in Afghanistan and India-US counter-terrorism cooperation are also likely to be discussed during the meetings.
Also on the agenda are the follow-up actions on the India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement.
New Delhi is expected to draw Washington’s attention to reports about regrouping of anti-India terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, continued infiltration from across the Line of Control and Islamabad’s failure to accelerate the trial of 26/11 masterminds and to bring Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed to justice.
“The strategic dialogue will enhance global strategic partnership between India and the US by serving as a very important mechanism to review, enhance and coordinate our broad-based cooperation,” spokesman and Joint Secretary (External Publicity) of the Ministry of External Affairs Vishnu Prakash said.