New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): United States will update India about its preliminary talks with the Taliban and will also seek India's suggestions on reconciliation when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits India for the strategic dialogue next week.
"US is continuing to explore whether it is possible to reach some kind of understanding with some elements of the Taliban leadership," U.S. Charge d'Affaires A. Peter Bulreigh told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.
"Talks with Taliban is an ongoing event and a process that, I am sure, will continue for months and what I do want to say is that we will do our best to keep the Government of India directly informed of the developments and seek the advise of the Government of India," he added.
The US envoy also ruled out differences between the two countries on the issue of troops withdrawal from Afghanistan.
"Obama's announcement of troops drawdown is quite acceptable to New Delhi," he said.
"I understand there was some concern in India that it would be massive drawdown....my understanding is that the Government of India found announcement by Obama quite acceptable," he added.
US President Obama recently announced a drawdown plan. He announced that 10,000 troops would return by the end of this year, and 23,000 more by next summer. There are currently 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.
"During the strategic dialogue, Secretary of State Clinton will also be discussing the situation in Pakistan. She will be apprised by the Indian side the evolving discussions between India and Pakistan," Bulreigh told reporters.
The relations between US and Pakistan are on the downturn especially in the wake ofashington 's decision to pause military aid, Pakistan will also be an important area of discussion during the strategic dialogue.
Allaying apprehensions over the NSG's ban on EPR technology, Charge de affairs Bulreigh reiterated that US is fully committed to fulfill the promises made in the 2008 civil nuclear agreement.
"We are completely committed to our previous agreements with India including 123greement and NSG waiver for India, and so I have no doubt that the nuclear issues would be discussed during the meetings. As far as the US is concerned, we want to fully implement agreements that have been made earlier," he said.
"We would like to see American companies to have contracts for nuclear reactors here in India as other countries are moving ahead we want to do that too," he added, while briefing media persons on the forthcoming visit of US Secretary of State to India.
Downplaying Washington's apparent exasperation over getting out of the MMRCA fighter aircraft deal, he said: " US and India have long- term relations. One deal here or there cannot make or break the relationship." By Naveen Kapoor(ANI)
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