Nuke deal, terror high on PM agenda Prasanta J Baruah NEW DELHI, Nov 20 – Implementation of the Indo-US nuclear deal, terrorism, economy, climate and environment, business, trade, culture and education are among the major issues on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s agenda when he leaves for a four-day state visit to the United States of America (USA) tomorrow. Briefing newspersons on the Prime Minister’s visit, the first after the election of Barack Obama as president, Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said that India and USA are firmly committed to implement the historic 123 civilian nuclear deal which has opened vistas of new opportunities for both the countries. Describing implementation of the deal as an ongoing process, she said private investment in the nuclear sector has been opened.
Replying to a question on counter terrorism, Ms Rao said the two sides are working towards a memorandum of understanding on joint cooperation to fight terrorism. “We hope to conclude it this time,” she said.
Commenting on the Indian demand for the extradition of David Coleman Headly and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, involved in the 26/11 attacks in India, Ms Rao said: “It is under legal process in the USA, and India is in touch with the US authorities.”
The Foreign Secretary today said that India has been articulating its concern about terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil and the need to dismantle terrorism infrastructure in Pakistan.
“The US fully understands our concern about cross-border terrorism and the close cooperation after the Mumbai attacks testifies to it,” she added.
An important issue during the Prime Minister’s visit will be reforms in the United Nations and India’s candidature in the Security Council. “The US supports the view that the UN Security Council should recognise the global reality and the composition of the Security Council is the crux of the issue,” Ms Rao said.
The India-US relationship has evolved into a truly comprehensive partnership of mutual trust and confidence. Shared democratic values, converging security interests, tremendous growth in economic partnership have acted as a catalyst to bring the two countries together.
In the last five years, India-US trade doubled and US exports to India grew three times. A new phenomenon in times has been the surge in Indian investments in the US which has exceeded US foreign direct investment into India.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his way back from USA will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) at Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobae to be held from November 27 to 29 before his return to Delhi.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, when asked if the Prime Minister will meet his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the CHOGM, said no such meeting was on schedule.
