Indian FM to visit Washington for talks

NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha is to visit the United States for talks next week on forging closer bilateral ties, an official said on Wednesday.

India’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Navtej Sarna said Mr Sinha would hold talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on his January 19-21 visit.

The visit follows US President George W Bush’s announcement that the United States and India will deepen cooperation on civilian nuclear activities, civilian space programs and high-technology trade. “The dialogue between the (foreign) minister and US secretary of state is a very important component of the India-US dialogue architecture and covers all aspects of our bilateral relations and international issues,” Mr Sarna said.

Mr Sinha also has several engagements in the US Congress, including meetings with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leaders of the Congressional caucus on India and Indian Americans. According to government officials, Mr Sinha would also meet US senators as part of low-key lobbying efforts to counter attempts by western nations to curb outsourcing to India. —AFP

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