General Jones, Nirupama Rao review progress in security, economic cooperation sectors

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON - Ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit, the Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, and U.S. National Security Advisor General Jim Jones reviewed the progress being made in a number of areas, including agriculture, education, economic cooperation, and security here on Friday.

“National Security Advisor General Jim Jones met with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on September 17 to continue preparations for the President’s upcoming visit to India in early November. General Jones and Rao reviewed the progress being made in a number of areas, including agriculture, education, economic cooperation, and security. Both agreed that the vast range of cooperation between us would set the foundation for a successful presidential visit and further our strategic partnership,” a statement issued from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi quoted the United States National Security Council spokesman, Michael Hammer, as saying.

“In addition, General Jones and Rao discussed other developments in the South Asia region, noting our mutual desire for stability,” it further stated.

Earlier while speaking in an interview to ANI TV here after concluding her talks with American officials on Thursday, Rao said: “We were able to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations and also look at the regional and global situation. We talked about India’s candidature for permanent seat in the Security Council and the U.S approach to that.”

“We spoke about export controls and high technology exports and the removal of U.S. controls on such exports to India. As you know, both the sides are discussing this matter at the moment,” she further added.

Rao also revealed that officials of the two sides spoke about co-operation in such areas as in agriculture, health, education and weather forecasting.

“You know, the whole relationship, the strategic partnership, the global strategic partnership has flowered in a number of areas. This is a reflection of the change, the dynamic change, the transformational change in the relationship between India and the United States,” she said.

She said that she had met U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her counterpart Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns, and discussed modalities for President Barack Obama’s November visit to India.

“I am basically here to prepare for the visit of President Obama to India this coming November. So, in my meeting we discussed the agenda for the visit and what both sides hope to achieve as outcomes for the visit. And, I had a series of meetings, as I just said, not only with my counterpart Under Secretary of State William Burns, but I called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I also met the National Security Advisor General Jim Jones.” (ANI)