Clinton meets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa

Chennai, July 20 (ANI): U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa here.

Clinton and her delegation met Jayalalithaa meeting at the State Secretariat.

Clinton's visit to Chennai was the final part of her two-day state visit to India.

On Tuesday, she urged the Indian Government to amend a law that has prevented American companies from taking part in the 150 billion dollar Indian nuclear energy market and further open up Asia's third largest economy to foreign investment.

Clinton also raised key economic issues as both sides seek to firm up a relationship that thus far has promised more than it has delivered.

India's government has long pledged to open up its 1.6 trillion dollar economy, but must also wrestle with local opposition fearing the loss of jobs to foreign companies.

Clinton also pledged strong U.S. support for India's battle against extremism-underscored by last week's deadly triple bomb attack on Mumbai-and said she would press India's nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan to do more to crack down on militants believed to be operating from its territory.

From Chennai, Clinton would head to Bali to attend the meeting of foreign ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Clinton's visit to India, her second as Secretary of State, was aimed at building on progress made since U.S. President Barack Obama visited the country in November and declared that the two giant democracies were natural partners.

During her trip, Clinton met senior Indian leaders and officials, with whom she discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, including steps that need to be taken to combat militancy, enhance cooperation in the climate and energy sectors and swift implementation of the civil nuclear deal.

Her visit also underscores Washington's growing bonds with the world's second most populous country and its 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars economy. (ANI)