Kerry to visit this month, McCain to arrive today

Visits will pave the way for PM's much-awaited meeting with US President Barack Obama in September

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit India on July 27. Republican senator John McCain is coming for a two-day visit here on Wednesday.

This will be Kerry's first visit to India after the row on diplomat Devyani Khobragade. She was arrested in December on charges of visa fraud and making false representations about her housekeeper Sangeeta Richard.

This will be Kerry's first visit after the arrival of the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A diplomat said, "This will be US's first official attempt to build the bridge with the new government and to implement a forward-looking relationship between the countries. All those issues of visa ban are past. US and India are going to start everything afresh."

When Kerry meets Modi, "everything and anything" will be on the table. There are chances both will have strategic dialogue.

Sources said both sides will discuss the civil nuclear cooperation deal, intellectual property laws, trade and investment, defence cooperation and cyber security. Both have set a target of $500-billion trade in goods and services from $100 billion.

Before Kerry's visit, US Deputy Secretary of State William J Burns is expected to come here by the middle of this month.

Kerry had visited in June last year when the United Progressive Alliance government was ruling. He had talked of "impediments" in Indo-US business ties.

McCain said last week, "It is my hope that Modi and his government will recognise how a deeper strategic partnership with the US serves India's national interests, specially in the light of current economic and geopolitical challenges."

McCain made it clear the Republicans were hoping Modi revives the economy and facilitates a robust relationship with the US.

The diplomat added the ruling Democratic Party was also now viewing Modi as the "great game-changer."

Modi will meet US President Barack Obama in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.