Top US diplomat to visit India ahead of John Kerry's trip

Host of bilateral issues to be discussed

Ahead of the bilateral strategic dialogue, a top US diplomat will be visiting India this week as a part of preparation for the highest level talks between the two countries.

According to the State Department, Deputy Secretary of State William J Burns will be in India on a two-day visit starting July 10 in advance of the US-India Strategic Dialogue.

"He will discuss the full range of bilateral issues - including economic, energy, and security cooperation - with senior Indian officials," the State Department said in a statement.

"The deputy secretary will be the highest-level administration official to visit since the inauguration of the new Indian government, and this trip is an opportunity to further strengthen and deepen this important bilateral relationship," the statement said.

US Senator John McCain visited India on July 2 and 3, and conveyed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the US' keen desire to work with him to revitalise the India-US strategic partnership.

Burn's trip to New Delhi precedes US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to India.

Kerry will be visiting India to hold Indo-US Strategic Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Swaraj on July 31.

Kerry and Swaraj are expected to prepare the ground for a bilateral meeting between Modi and US President Barack Obama, who had invited the Indian leader for a meeting in Washington. Modi will visit the US in September.