India, US ministerial talks on Monday

India, US ministerial talks on MondayNew York, Sep. 24 : External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be meeting in New York on Monday, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai informed reporters on Saturday.

The two leaders last met in July this year in New Delhi for the second Indo-US strategic dialogue.

Monday''s meeting assumes importance as it is taking place under the shadow of increased violence in Afghanistan following the brutal killing of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was also heading his country''s peace and reconciliation council.

India is worried about the intensification of attacks orchestrated by Pakistan ''s Haqaani network. It is most likely that India, which is making huge investments in the capacity building of Afghanistan, would like to flag its concerns to the U. S .

India is also sceptical about the drawdown plan of the United States. India has said the drawdown should not be calendar-based but situation-based.

Monday''s meeting is taking place in the backdrop of increased U. S.-Pakistan tensions sparked off by Chairman, U. S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen''s assertion that the Haqqani network is a veritable arm of Pakistan.

Both sides are expected to review the whole gamut of bilateral relations, including defence and security ties, cooperation in the energy sector and a whole range of other issues of mutual interest to the two countries.
(ANI)