Krishna in US, Indo-US strategic talks tomorrow

India and U.S. are set to hold their first strategic dialogue here in the morning where the two sides are expected to discuss the Afghanistan-Pakistan situation and bilateral cooperation against terror.

Foreign Minister SM Krishna, who came here last night for the strategic dialogue with his U.S. counterpart Hillary Clinton, leading a high-power delegation, including HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Minister for Science and Prithviraj Chauhan Technology and Foreign Minister Nirupama Rao.

Other members of the delegation, special secretary for internal security UK Bansal, the environment secretary Vijai Sharma and Indian Ambassador to the United States Meera Shankar.

The strategic dialogue will formally open tomorrow
a joint meeting of the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State
Department, headed by Krishna and Secretary
Clinton.

The questions come up is expected to include Afghanistan-Pakistan situation, India's role in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two parties.

Prior to the Krishna-Clinton speaks during the State Secretary for Political Affairs William Burns and Foreign Minister Nirupama Rao would hold foreign policy meeting at the Foreign Ministry, which officials said will set the tone for tomorrow's dialogue.

In his first public engagement here, Krishna will deliver keynote address at the 35th Anniversary of US-India Business Council - the lead U.S. business legal world to do business in India, reflecting the emphasis of U.S. business and
their role in the U.S. and India.

Separately, USAID Administrator Raj Shah and under secretary for management Robert Hormats D will keep the Indo-US Agriculture Dialogue with Ahluwalia.

Sibal, who already had a series of meetings here yesterday, will continue their discussion with U.S. authorities.

Hours before Krishna's arrival here, "said Burns, the strategic dialogue has elevated India to the ranking of the best global partners.

"Our strategic dialogue this week raise India to the rank of our most important global partners, gives us the opportunity to discuss and coordinate policies of global importance, including the future shape of the international economic system and what we can do together to promote human development in other parts of the world, "he said at the Council on Foreign Relations - a Washington-based think tank.