The talks between S M Krishna and Hillary Clinton covered important bilateral issues like Afghanistan, nuclear waiver, defence purchases, terrorism, cyber security and US demands for market access, particularly in insurance and retail trading. Sheela Bhatt reports.
Minutes after the second Indo-US strategic dialogue, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna described US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as a 'steadfast friend of India'. He also said that India wants America to factor in the ground realities of Afghanistan and its people who are fighting terrorism sponsored by the Taliban.
The talks lasted for 150 minutes and were carried forward over the lunch.
During the media interaction, while understanding the sensitivity of India over the Mumbai blasts and terrorism, Clinton said, "your fight is our fight against terrorism and violent extremism.'
In one of the significant outcomes, as mentioned by the Indian side, the US has offered 'full nuclear co-operation' over which India had many doubts after recent American moves over ENR (enrichment and reprocessing) technologies.
At same time Clinton, while reiterating American commitment for the July 2005 Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, attached a condition the India fulfill its commitment to sign the supplementary convention on compensation for nuclear damages.
That means that US companies are not ready to accept the Indian nuclear liability law. Indian experts are divided on the compatibility of Indian laws with international law that the US wants India to sign before India is given 'full civil nuclear co-operation'. If India signs the convention on compensation for nuclear damages, as India has already committed for, it's likely that it may override Indian law of civil nuclear liability affecting Indian sovereignty. Clinton, talking about Indo-US civil nuclear agreement said that it has to be 'enforceable and actionable in all regards'.
However, Clinton claimed that 'depth and breadth' of the talks will be gauged by the joint statement.
Although, no big tickets items were expected, the talks covered important bilateral issues like Afghanistan, nuclear waiver, defence purchases, terrorism, cyber security and US demands for market access, particularly in insurance and retail trading.
The talks also covered the recent Mumbai blasts on which US has offered all kinds of help. The Indian side was worried about visas to its technocrats and the issue of social security for Indian migrants.
Krishna said intelligence co-operation has deepened, non-proliferation partnership has grown and economic ties have expanded.
In the talks, held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Clinton tried to diffuse India's fears regarding on-going peace talks with the Taliban while keeping in focus the sensitivities of Pakistan. However, today's talks have shown that US and India are constantly in touch on the issue and are likely to continue communication over Afghanistan. India talked about infrastructure of terror in Pakistan, which is a danger to regional security.
In the press conference when asked about Mumbai blasts Clinton was circumspect. She, more or less, repeated the US's stated policy that was well-defined by President Barack Obama during his India tour. She, like her President, said that Pakistan is victim of terrorism. More Pakistanis have died due to terrorism than Americans. Talking about safe heavens she was more unambiguous. She said that safe heavens are not in anyone's interests. Talking about fight against terrorism, she said, "We will continue to work together"
Talking about his talks with Clinton on Afghanistan, Krishna said India is closely following happenings in Afghanistan. He reminded the audience, "We have close civilization and transactional relationship with Afghanistan."
India has once again told US that it's not in position to sign CISMOA (Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement.)
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