Addressing a packed house at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, Kerry said, “We have to respect the rights of all our citizens irrespective of creed and allow them to protest in peace without fear that they will be jailed”. The address also saw Kerry refer to the “special bond” between U.S. president Barack Obama and PM Narendra Modi, saying the two leaders had worked hard to pursue common goals in strategic and economic spheres.
Advertisement
“In recent weeks and months, [the Pakistanis] have been moving much more authoritatively in the western part of the country on the strongholds of the Haqqani network”, Kerry said in a joint press appearance with his Indian counterpart.
Issues under discussion range from USA quotas for temporary work visas to American assistance for upgrading India’s power grid.
The annual event is part of US efforts to open up a market of 1.3 billion people and press India’s government to quicken reforms easing limits on outside investment.
Kerry, who was to leave on Wednesday, has postponed his departure, state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
As the US delegation approached Modi’s office, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker fell when her heel got caught in a crack on the sidewalk.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared with him US’ perspective on developments in the region and beyond.
The United States accuses Pakistan of not doing enough against the Haqqani militants.
Vikas Swarup, India’s External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said, the dialogue is most broad mechanism for meeting between two countries, he also said co-chairs will be also have an interaction with a high-level, inter-agency allocation from both sides.
“We told them we want to solve our problems through talks”, she said, “But they did things that forced us to suspend the dialogue”.
“Strengthening Indo-US relations is a top priority for the United States”. “We support Modi’s plan of increasing share of renewable power source”.
Officials hope to strengthen security cooperation between India and USA and boost bilateral trade to 500 billion dollars – five times its current size.
“It is vital that Pakistan join other nations in tackling these issues (terrorism and sanctuary for militants)”, he had said on Tuesday, seeming to tacitly support India’s position that peace talks and terrorism can not go hand in hand.
Advertisement
Kerry, accompanied by the Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker also addressed other vital issues like multilateralism and easier visa regime for Indian workers to the USA which are equally important for India as the country is trying to carve its niche in major global forums.
