William Burns' visit likely to set agenda for Indo-US ties

New Delhi: The visit next week by America's undersecretary of state for political affairs William Burns to New Delhi is likely to set the agenda for bilateral relationship between India and the United States, particularly after the change of guard in the US and the re-election of prime minister Manmohan Singh's government. Burns' visit will also lay the ground for the visit of secretary of state Hillary Clinton next month to India.

Government sources have indicated that talks between Burns, who commences his visit starting 10 June, and foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon is likely to cover a broad agenda.

"We want greater economic exchange with India. We want to broaden the access for academic institutions, foreign academic institutions in India. We want to improve our defence relationship with India," said Patrick Moon, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia.

"We are seeking to broaden and strengthen our bilateral relationship. We have certainly made great strides with India, as it has opened up to the rest of the world and particularly to the West, and the new government gives every prospect of strengthening that trend," Moon said.

Speaking about William Burns' scheduled visit Moon said, "He (Burns) will be following up on the very successful elections there. The largest democracy in the world conducted a very smooth election, very little violence, and returned the Congress party to power," Moon said.

Burn's visit is expected to focus on a number of developmental issues and put on the agenda areas like economic cooperation, agriculture, education and science and technology. In the area of defence, India and the US may also conclude negotiations on the End-User Verification Agreement, a critical component of all future defence supply arrangements with American companies.

However, with the Af-Pak policy appearing to dominate the foreign policy agenda of the Obama administration for the moment, developments in Pakistan are likely to become an important part of Burns' dialogue in New Delhi.

The Indian side is expected to touch upon the release of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. Mandarins at the foreign office are also expected to reiterate concerns about the huge amount of aid earmarked for Pakistan. New Delhi has concerns about the danger of aid being diverted for other purposes, specifically military.

As for the much hyped military action against the Taliban, New Delhi is expected to point out the fact that no action is being initiated against the terror infrastructure within the country and the Pakistani Army is engaged in merely freeing territory apparently in control of the Taliban and other Jihadi elements.