Sinha to meet Powell in Washington

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha will meet US Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice during his three-day official visit to Washington from January 19.

New Delhi views the Sinha-Powell talks as a very important component of the India-US dialogue architecture. The two leaders will cover all aspects of Indo-US bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest.

Sinha, who flew to Mumbai late on Saturday evening after attending a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, will travel to New York on Sunday morning before moving to Washington.

He has several engagements lined up in the US Congress, including meetings with Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House International Relations Committee.

During his stay, he will meet important members of the House Appropriations Committee and leaders of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. The minister's programme also includes interactions with the US
media and think tanks.

Sinha is likely to brief the US leaders on the recent peace moves by India and Pakistan, including their decision to resume the composite dialogue process next month.