India-US strategic dialogue: Sushma Swaraj-John Kerry to hold first ministerial meet

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to America, India and the US are going to hold the first ministerial meeting of the India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue (S&CD) in Washington on September 22, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj leading the Indian delegation.

The decision to elevate the India-US Strategic Dialogue into a strategic and commercial dialogue was taken during the visit of US President Barack Obama to India earlier this year.

The Indian delegation includes Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce & Industry & Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal.

It will also have senior officials from various ministries and departments of Government of India.

The US delegation would include Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. They will be accompanied by a high-level inter-agency delegation.

During the S&CD, several bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest would be discussed between the two sides.

The S&CD is expected to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between India and the US and also identify possible areas for future cooperation including in strategic, defence and security; energy and environment; science & technology & space.