Energy, Education Next Big Things in India-U.S. Ties

Washington: Cooperation in the areas of energy and education could be the next big thing in India-U.S. relations, officials indicated after "a series of very useful and important interactions" between visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and U.S. officials.

"In these discussions, the importance of the bilateral partnership in key areas, including energy, trade and economic development, as well as our existing regional and international consultations were reaffirmed," an Indian embassy statement said.

"In the year ahead, it is intended that the two sides would increase the frequency and pace of bilateral consultations, including at official and political levels," it said.

Mathai, who is on a three-day visit to the U.S., also had a brief ten-minute call on new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during which he "extended to him the good wishes of our leadership, and their congratulations upon his appointment."

Mathai also discussed the proposed visit to India by Kerry for the Third Round of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, possibly in mid-June. Kerry in turn reaffirmed his invitation to the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to visit the U.S. soon.

After the meeting with Mathai, Kerry tweeted under his personal tag: "Saw friend/Foreign Secretary Mathai- discussed importance of relationship w/ #India, expressed sympathies to brave people of #Hyderabad -JK."