10 June 2009
State’s Burns Says India a Crucial Partner for the United States
Washington — The third highest ranking U.S. diplomat has begun a four-day visit to India, marking the first meetings between the Obama administration and Indian officials following India’s May 16 parliamentary elections.
After meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna June 10, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns told reporters in New Delhi that India “is a major foreign policy priority for the United States” and a “crucial global partner for the United States in the 21st century.”
The United States and India “have come a long way together in recent years,” Burns added, citing the Civil Nuclear Agreement that was approved during the second term of President George W. Bush as a significant accomplishment. (See “President Bush Signs U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement.”)
“I am convinced that there is a great deal more that we can do together,” Burns said.
In Washington, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said June 10 that Burns is beginning the dialogue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s new government “in an atmosphere of great positive feelings.”
“We consider India an absolutely critical country in the region,” Holbrooke said. While the country is not part of the problem of the security and refugee situation stemming from the struggle in Afghanistan and Pakistan against Taliban and al-Qaida militants, “they are vitally affected, and we want to work closely with them.”
According to news reports, the United States and India are discussing topics such as increased defense, economic and academic ties. The Obama administration also reportedly wants to encourage India and Pakistan to resume peace talks, including attempts to resolve their dispute over the Kashmir region.
Holbrooke told reporters Burns delivered a letter from President Obama to the new Indian government June 9 but said the contents were private.
