Clinton discussed Obama visit, situation in region with PM: Menon

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE - National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon said on Saturday that U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton called on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Vietnamese capital Hanoi, and both had discussed the forthcoming visit of President Barack Obama to India.

Briefing reporters about the 45-minute meeting between Clinton and Dr. Singh this afternoon, Menon, who was accompanying the Prime Minister Dr. Singh during his three-nation Asia tour, that included visits to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, said: “Both sides were looking forward for the visit, and I’m sure, it will be a historic visit, which would enable us to add content to the strategic partnership, and, would also explore various ways, as PM just told you, of expanding the relationship in various areas in working together, whether political, security , trade commercial relation and in other areas.”

Menon informed that both sides during their meeting had expressed satisfaction on the state of preparations for President Obama’s visit.

During their meeting, Menon said that Clinton and Dr. Singh also discussed situation in the region. He said Clinton apprised the Indian Prime Minister about the outcome of the recently concluded strategic dialogue between the U.S. and Pakistan.

Menon said that Clinton also informed about the U.S. goals in Afghanistan, and also appreciated Indian initiatives in Afghanistan: “And about US determination to continue the goals they are persuing in Afghanistan they welcomed the work we are doing for reconstruction of Afghanistan. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)