India pursuing a robust foreign policy: Clapper

India is pursuing a robust foreign policy agenda, working to enhance ties to East and Southeast Asian nations, offering reciprocal visits with China, and hosting high level engagements with the United States, France and Russia, a top American intelligence official has said praising New Delhi's global engagement.

In his prepared statement to Senate Armed Services Committee, James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, said New Delhi has welcomed the US endorsement of an eventual seat for India on the UN Security Council, and its commitment to support Indian membership in the four international export control regimes — in a phased manner and consistent with maintaining the core principles of these regimes -- as India takes steps toward full adoption and implementation of the regimes' requirements.

"New Delhi, meanwhile, has been working to deepen its engagement with multilateral fora such as the G-20, East Asian Summit, and the climate change discussions in Mexico," he said.

At the same time he added that New Delhi's ties to Islamabad are largely unchanged.

Both sides have stated their willingness to put all issues on the table and are committed to another round of talks at the foreign minister level at a date to be determined.

"Senior Indian officials continue to call for progress in the prosecution of individuals charged with the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai, and remain concerned at the length of the process taking place in Pakistan.

"New Delhi, nevertheless, continues to underscore its desire for peaceful and stable relations with Islamabad," Clapper said yesterday.

On Afghanistan, he said, Indian officials have welcomed the international community's commitment to remain in Afghanistan until the end of 2014.

New Delhi continues to believe that a stable, friendly Afghanistan is crucial to Indian security.