India, US to discuss tough issues during strategic dialogue

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): Leadership of India and United States would be dealing with tough issues staring at the bilateral relationship during the second Indo-US strategicialogue, which commences in New Delhi on July 19.

The second Indo-US dialogue may not be as smooth sailing and streamlined as the first one, which took place in Washington last year before President Barack Obama's much-hyped visit to India.

The dialogue between the two sides is taking place this time when major irritants have cropped up in the relationship. The nuclear suppliers group is all set to ban the transfer of ENR technology to non NPT states, this move has upset New Delhi and has raised questions over the rationale of clean waiver India got from the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008.

United States is also disappointed about not getting through the MMRCA fighter aircraft deal. Lockheed's F-16IN Super Viper and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet were eliminated from the MMRCA race two months ago. Defence cooperation is an important component of Indo-US relations and the issue is likely to cast a shadow on the relationship.

The United States is trying to stage a comeback in the bidding process and is likely toffer India superior F35 aircrafts.

The timing of the strategic dialogue is crucial, as this is the first high-level interaction between India and United States after the killing of Osama Bin Laden by US Special Forces deep inside Pakistan and the deadly attack on PNS Mehran naval base, which brought to light the vulnerability of Pakistan into the forefront.

Both New Delhi and Washington have shared concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan and both are anxious about safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

The second Indo-US dialogue is taking place at a time when the United States has announced the draw down of foreign forces from Afghanistan, and is also trying to reconcile with Taliban, which has left the democratic regime of President Karzai in lurch.

India has made massive investment of 1.5 billion US $ in capacity building of the war torn country and is not totally convinced with the draw down of foreign forces.

New Delhi believes that Afghan National army and police are not yet ready to take the security responsibility of the country in its hands.

Revelations made by Tahawaur Rana and David Headley during the Chicago court trial about the direct involvement of ISI officials in the Mumbai trial may also come up during the talks.

The transfer of high technology, counter terrorism cooperation, trade, investment, education, security, agriculture, health, science and technology and host of other sectors will be covered under the ambit of the second Indo-US strategic dialogue.

India and US have already organised a successful Homeland Security Dialogue led by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano earlier this year. Indo-US high technology cooperation group also met in New Delhi.

US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, will be co-chairing the strategic dialogue with External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna.

Clinton is also likely to call on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. She will be leaving forhennai on July 20. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)