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Fri, 19th Jun 2009  Washington, Jun 18 (PTI) The Obama administration is keen to develop a more comprehensive and intensive bilateral relationship with India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, as she met Union Minister Anand Sharma here. Clinton, who met Industry and Commerce Minister Sharma, said the Obama administration is eager to build on the progress made in ties between the two countries over the last 15 years, the Indian Embassy here said in a statement.
The discussions between the two leaders yesterday covered the effect of the economic downturn on the two economies and the way ahead for negotiations of the World Trade Organisation. Sharma, the first cabinet rank minister to visit the US after general elections in India, said while a perfect solution to WTO negotiations may be elusive, it could be possible to find a way out acceptable to all parties, keeping in mind that development was central to Doha Round.
Sharma said the Indian government is looking forward to Clinton's forthcoming visit to India and expressed confidence that her leadership would give a special impetus to the relations between the two countries. The discussions also touched the programmes undertaken to stimulate domestic demand in India while providing a social security net to the vulnerable sections, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.  |
