India and the United States have come up with the idea of 'a triangular cooperation' on development issues involving countries like Afghanistan, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on Monday.
"An interesting new idea has emerged -- that of a triangular cooperation in places like Afghanistan and Africa. Let me say that on Afghanistan, (Secretary of State Hillary) Clinton spoke very positively about India's role in that country and the importance that the world community and the US attach to this and the need for India and the US to stay in close touch about the developments in Afghanistan," Rao said after briefing reporters following the bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Clinton.
"(This is) because the two countries share the goals (for development) and the same concerns of eradicating terrorism and radical extremism from the region and strengthening forces of democracy within Pakistan," Rao said.
"Clinton expressed appreciation for India's gesture to extend a $20 million dollar assistance to help Pakistan cope with the ravaging flood and the spontaneity with which it was given," she said.
Although the issue of engagement with Pakistan did not figure in Monday's talks, Rao said that President Barack Obama is very appreciative 'of our prime minister's efforts in pursuing dialogue with Pakistan to seek the issue of trust deficit about outstanding issues. But it was not part of the bilateral discussion today,' she said.
Asked about the specifics of Indo-US partnership with Afghanistan, she said that India's presence in that country has promoted stability, health and women's education.
"Let us talk about agriculture, where we in India have extended help and cooperation to Afghanistan, offered fellowships for training and for post-graduate research to Afghan experts. This is one area where the US has shown interest as well -- working out where the three countries can work together," Rao said.
She said that there areas like civil servants' training, women's empowerment, assisting self-help groups for women. "These are all areas where we can work together," she said.
"I met USAID (United States Agency for International Development) chief Rajeev Shah in New York to discuss this triangular cooperation for Africa and Afghanistan. We have decided that we will set up a small group with the concerned heads of departments within our ministries and the USAID to identify signature projects that we can take up for triangular cooperation," Rao said.
