Menon to discuss progress in Mumbai probe, N-deal in US

Lalit K Jha

Washington/New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) A wide range of issues,
including progress in probe into the Mumbai attacks, aspects
related to the civil nuclear deal and the upcoming G-20 meet,
are expected to figure in talks Foreign Secretary Shivshankar
Menon will have with top US officials during his four-day
visit here.

In the first high-level Indo-US interaction here after
President Barack Obama was sworn in on January 20, Menon, who
arrives in Washington Sunday night, is scheduled to meet
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Under Secretary for
Political Affairs William J Burns and Deputy Secretary of
State James Steinberg.

Taking the Indo-US relationship to the next level -- from
what was accomplished during the Bush Administration –- is
going to be the main focus of Menon's visit here.

Menon is expected to discuss with Burns the problem of
terrorism, aspects related to nuclear deal and issues related
to the upcoming G-20 meeting, sources in New Delhi said.

The issue of threat posed by terrorism emanating from
Pakistan is expected to figure prominently in the discussions,
they said.

In this context, the two sides are expected to discuss
progress made in investigations into Mumbai attacks. Actions
taken by Pakistan in this regard will be deliberated upon and
Menon is expected to apprise Burns about India's assessment of
steps taken by Islamabad.

During his meetings beginning tomorrow, Menon would also
hold talks with Richard Holbrooke, the Special US
Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Holbrooke was recently in New Delhi to discuss with
Indian authorities the US view on Afghanistan. The Obama
Administration is keen to involve New Delhi in Afghanistan,
given the goodwill India has generated in the country through
its massive developmental efforts post-Taliban.

In the backdrop of the recent attack on Sri Lankan
players in Lahore, Menon is also expected to highlight the
threat the world faces from terrorism based in Pakistan.

India feels that Pakistan lacks will or capability to
stamp out terrorism and that the international community needs
to do something about it urgently.

Menon is also expected to discuss with Burns the issue of
reprocessing of spent fuel in India, for which the two sides
need to negotiate arrangements.

Under the 123 agreement, the two sides have to initiate
within six months discussions on putting in place procedures
for reprocessing and conclude these within a year after that.
Accordingly, the discussions have to be started by August.

The Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to meet officials
in the Department of Defence and National Security Council. He
would also be meeting key Congressional leaders, including
those in the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees and
members of the Congressional caucus on India.

Meetings with a number of Washington-based think tanks
have also been scheduled for Menon. PTI LKJ
DEP
NNNN