N-deal, Iran sanction to figure in Mathai's talks in US

Europe Sun (IANS) Monday 6th February, 2012

Implementation of the India-US civil nuclear deal, sanctions against Iran and the Af-Pak situation are among the host of bilateral and regional issues expected to figure in talks between Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai with US officials.

A meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is also on the cards during Mathai's first bilateral visit to the United States indicating the importance being attached to India-US relationship by the Obama administration.

Mathai, who arrived here Sunday, may also meet with Obama's National Security Advisor Tom Donilon when he goes to the White House for a meeting with Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman.

For official level talks Tuesday, he is scheduled to meet Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs Wendy Sherman, and assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia Robert Blake.

Last week, state department spokesman Mark Toner said the US officials would be discussing with Mathai all of the issues that fall under their strong bilateral relationship, as well as many global issues.

Among the issues top on the list, officials said are the sanctions against Iran, Af-Pak situation, implementation of the India-US civilian nuclear deal and the upcoming India-US Strategic Dialogue in Washington later this year.

He is scheduled to speak on "Building on Convergence: Deepening the India-US Strategic Partnership" at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Monday.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)