U.S. Hopes Kerry's Visit Will 'Melt The Ice' In Ties With India

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration hopes that Secretary of State John Kerry's recent visit to India will "melt the ice" in the ties and start an important relationship with the new Indian government that has great "strategic value" to America, a top U.S. official has said.

Kerry visited New Delhi last week to co-chair the fifth annual India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

He was the first cabinet minister from the Obama administration to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzeker, also travelled to India along with the Secretary of State.

"It was certainly a warm visit and a warm meeting, so hopefully that will melt the ice," State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said, referring to Kerry's two-day visit.

"I would hardly see this visit as an ending or a conclusive visit as much as a beginning of an important relationship with a new government and one that has great strategic value to the United States," she said.

Defense Minister Chuck Hagel is scheduled to travel to India later this week, making him the third U.S. Cabinet minister to meet Modi government officials within a week.

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