Top U.S. Diplomat to Visit India Ahead Of U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue

WASHINGTON: Deputy Secretary of William J Burns "will be the highest-level Administration official to visit since the inauguration of the new Indian Government" headed by Modi, who for long had been persona non grata in Washington before his "resounding" electoral victory in May.

Burns, who will be in India July 10-11, "will discuss the full range of bilateral issues - including economic, energy, and security cooperation - with senior Indian officials," a State Department announcement said.

"This trip is an opportunity to further strengthen and deepen this important bilateral relationship," it said.

Burn's trip to New Delhi is expected to be followed by a visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry later this month for the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj although it's Washington's turn to host it.

Reflecting bipartisan support for stronger India-U.S. ties, John McCain, Republican senator and Obama's rival in the 2008 presidential election, who visited India earlier this month also conveyed to Modi Washington's keen desire to work with him.

The U.S. was much behind its European partners in reaching out to Modi in the run up to India's parliamentary victory, but his "resounding" victory quickly ended U.S. hesitation.

As soon as the results were announced Obama made a call to congratulate "candidate Modi" and invited him to the U.S. and Secretary of State John Kerry "echoed" the invitation.

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