Obama to hold talks with Indian PM at White House on September 27

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (APP): President Barack Obama will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at White House on September 27, with their meeting expected to “highlight India’s role in regional security and stability,” according to an official announcement. A White House statement issued after a meeting between U.S. National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and her Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon on Tuesday, said the two officials “also discussed India’s continued support for a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan.”
The Indian leader’s visit next month will take place at a crucial time for U.S. engagement in the region, as Washington prepares to draw down its combat troops from Afghanistan by 2014. Washington has expressed appreciation for Indian economic aid for Afghanistan but in recent weeks has pressed New Delhi to hold “further dialogue” with Pakistan on simmering down tensions in the disputed Kashmir region.
A statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden afterTuesday’s meeting between the two advisors, said Ambassador Rice and NSA Menon “exchanged ideas on enhancing our security cooperation, reviewed progress on our civil nuclear and clean energy cooperation, and explored greater collaboration on climate change.”