Govt eyes cooperation, stronger relations with US on Obama's visit

India will explore the vast potential for growth in its relations with the United States during the three-day state visit of US President Barack Obama between January 25 and 27. "This visit is the culmination of qualitative reinvigoration of our ties," external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Thursday.

President Obama and US First Lady Michelle Obama will arrive in the national capital on Sunday at 10:00 am and will receive a ceremonial welcome from President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, Modi and Obama will head for bilateral discussions at the Hyderabad House.

Since Modi's September 2014 visit to the US, several meetings between the officials of the two countries have taken place in areas like defence, science and technology, counter terrorism, health, climate change and global trade. While refusing to specify if Pakistan would be discussed by the two leaders, informed officials said they are expected to talk about peace and stability in the South Asian region and beyond.

Akbaruddin said India was holding third round of consultations on the issue of civil nuclear liability as part of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in London and expressed hope of positive outcomes.

He further said that India was trying to work out an administrative arrangement on how to assure its nuclear energy part-ners either through vendors or lawyers. He also said that government expected that the US will support India's quest for the Nuclear Supplier's Group.

"We consider nuclear energy a key component in our energy mix," Akbaruddin said. "There have been nine India-US bilateral dialogues since September and in addition there have been eight meetings relating to defence and security in such areas as cyber, border management, counter-improvised explosive devices, defence technology, trade initiatives and global entry programme," said the MEA spokesperson.

On the economic and commercial front, three meetings on smart cities, financial regulations and other areas have been held.

"From our perspective, the US is a key partner for capital, technology, knowledge and skills in our development effort, and a potentially important source of clean energy technology and hydrocarbons," said Akbaruddin, adding that Washington was also an important partner in areas like defence technology and counterterrorism, "an important factor in our space security and cyber security, a key interlocutor in adjustments to the global security and economic architecture including reforms of the UN Security Council, a partner in the quest for a rule-based, open international trading and economic order, and in our efforts to seek peace and stability in our extended neighbourhood and globally".

(Courtesy: Mail Today)