Afghanistan high on US-India talks in Delhi

WASHINGTON (PAN — security transition and reconciliation talks — would dominate India-US strategic dialogue to be held in New Delhi next week, US officials said Wednesday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled travel to India from June 23 to 26 to co-chair the fourth India US Strategic Dialogue with India’s External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid.

 “Afghanistan would be very high on the list,” the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, told a Washington audience.

Blake said the two delegations would also discuss India’s role in the New Silk Road, and the ambitious TAPI pipeline project, in addition to the reconciliation talks.

According to Indian diplomats, Indian side would seek details of the latest American effort to hold direct peace talks with the Taliban in Qatar.

Kerry in a video message ahead of his trip, praised India’s role in Afghanistan. “The US and India share a strong and enduring commitment to Afghanistan’s peace and prosperity, and India is making important contributions through its reconstruction and development work,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Department said Kerry would not be travelling to Pakistan during his 10-day seven nation Asia trip. Kerry would travel to Pakistan at a later date.

Lkj/ma

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