Krishna in US to attend third India-US Strategic Dialogue

Washington, June 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has arrived here to hold the third India-US Strategic Dialogue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Both leaders are expected to discuss several bilateral, regional and international issues, including the latest developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Krishna arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon by an Acela train from New York.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that the strategic dialogue would cover a whole host of issues, including matters related to human resources development, women empowerment and homeland security.

He said that he expected the dialogue between the two sides to be candid and forthright.

Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Prime Minister's Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation Advisor Sam Pitroda will accompany Krishna at the talks.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath, Minister of State for Planning, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Ashwini Kumar, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, Home Secretary R K Singh, Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu, Higher Education Secretary Ashok Thakur and other senior officials will also be present.

Krishna will address the annual meet of the U.S. India Business Council on Tuesday. (ANI)