Speaker Ryan meets Jaishankar, condoles 'senseless murder' of techie

After US President Donald Trump condemned the killing, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan has offered the condolences of the House for the "senseless" murder of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla, during his meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar here.

Ryan, in a statement, also said that the two sides discussed ways to enhance the bilateral economic and defence cooperation.

The Indian Foreign Secretary arrived here on Tuesday on a four-day visit to hold talks with top officials of the Trump Administration.

"The relationship between the US and India is rooted in shared values of democracy and freedom," Ryan said in a statement after his meeting with Jaishankar.

"We had a great opportunity today to build on this critical partnership by discussing ways to enhance our economic and defense cooperation," he stated.

"In our meeting, I expressed the House's condolences on the death of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was senselessly murdered last week in Kansas. Our peoples must continue to stand together, and I look forward to working with Foreign Secretary Jaishankar in the years ahead."

Jaishankar also met with US National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster.

On Tuesday, US President Trump began his first address to the Congress at the Capitol Hill by condemning Kuchibhotla's death, saying the country "stands united in condemning hate and evil".

"Last week's shooting in Kansas city reminds us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms," Trump said.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured when US Navy veteran Adam W. Purinton fired at them at the Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City on February 22, in an apparent hate crime.

Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the two and hurled racial slurs.

He yelled "get out of my country" before shooting them.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American, who tried to save the Indians, was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. He has since been hospitalised.

--IANS

rn/vt