India, US to deepen nuclear ties, explore LPG exports; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Mar-a-Lago

Washington: India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri discussed furthering energy cooperation with the US in nuclear power and new areas such as coal gasification and LPG exports in his meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Misri's discussion with Wright focused on "advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade, and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership", the Indian Embassy here said in a social media post on Friday.

US Ambassador to India, Sergei Gor, who was also present at the meeting, said America was ready to cooperate with India on civil nuclear cooperation in addition to other areas, such as coal gasification and US LPG exports.

"Great to spend this (Friday) morning with @SecretaryWright and FS Vikram Misri to discuss the future of US-India energy cooperation. After India's historic passage of the SHANTI bill, we are ready to cooperate on civil nuclear in addition to other areas such as coal gasification and US LPG exports," Gor said in a social media post.

Later on Friday night, he hosted Misri at US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

"It was a pleasure to host @VikramMisri tonight at Mar a Lago! From trade and defence to energy, India and the United States stand ready to work closely together in the months and years ahead,” Gor posted on social media.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy Act (SHANTI Act) is considered the most sweeping reform in the civil nuclear sector in India.

The law, which came into force last December, opens up the tightly-controlled civil nuclear space for private participation.

It also repealed the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act of 2010.

Misri arrived in the US late Tuesday night on a three-day visit.

He has held meetings with senior officials from the departments of defence, commerce and state.

Misri also met Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday.

India's Air Chief Marshal A P Singh was also on a visit to the US and visited the Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs on Wednesday.

He interacted with General Gregory M Guillot (Commander US-NORTHCOM/NORAD) for a productive exchange of perspectives on complex operational modalities, reflecting the strength of the growing partnership, the IAF said in a social media post.

In separate meetings, Gor held discussions with Steve Feinberg, the US Deputy Secretary of Defence and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll.

In a social media post, Gor said defence cooperation between the US and India is growing and making both countries safer and stronger.

"Discussed with Deputy Secretary Feinberg ways that we can deepen ties, including through defence sales of US equipment, the best in the world, and strengthening interoperability," he said.

The US envoy said he discussed the momentum of the US-India relationship since Driscoll's visit to New Delhi in January.

"Always great to see my friend and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll @SecArmy where we discussed the momentum in the US-India relationship following his January visit. The US Army and the Indian Army will play an important role in bolstering defence ties," Gor said.

He also met Dylan Johnson, the Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, and Michael Needham, Counsellor in the Department of State.

"Couldn't wrap my visit to DC without seeing my friends @ASDylanJohnson and @MikeNeedham. Both are working tirelessly to make America stronger, safer and more prosperous! Looking forward to having both visit India very soon," Gor said.