Relations with India 'real key' to global order: US

The United States on Thursday said its partnership with India [ Images ] is the 'real key' to global order and the invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] for the first state visit to Washington during Obama [ Images ] administration reflects the very high priority accorded to the country.

US Under Secretary of State William Burns, who met Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna [ Images ] in New Delhi [ Images ], said he was very optimistic about the prospects of further progress in relationship between two countries in the months and years ahead.

"It's no accident but Prime Minister Singh's visit will be the first state visit to Washinghton during Obama administration. That reflects the very high priority that President Obama, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and the entire administration attaches to our relationship with India," he told mediapersons.

"I am convinced that the Indo-US partnership is the real key to global order and global prosperity in the 21st century," he said.

Noting that the main focus of his trip to New Delhi is to help prepare for the Prime Minister's state visit to Washington next month, Burns said he had an excellent meeting with Krishna and has a very full schedule till Friday.

Singh will be in Washington on a bilateral visit on November 24 at the invitation of Obama. "We have a very rich agenda of cooperation and partnership between US and India on a wide range of regional and global issues before us ranging from health to education, nuclear cooperation, defence to clean energy and climate change," Burns said.

The US official will meet National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and hold talks with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao [ Images ] on Friday. During the meetings, the two sides will discuss agenda for Singh's Washington visit and take stock of the probe being conducted by Pakistan into the Mumbai [ Images ] attacks.

India is likely to convey its disappointment over Pakistan's dilly-dallying in taking action against Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed [ Images ] despite being given evidence about his role in the Mumbai attacks.

New Delhi is also likely to voice its concerns over the US aid to Pakistan for fighting terror, which is being diverted for other activities.

Image: US Under Secretary of State William Burns