Obama, Manmohan Singh begin restricted talks

NEW DELHI - Restricted talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama have begun at Hyderabad House.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao were present a restricted meeting between the two leaders.

India is expected to press for visible action against Lashkar-e-Toiba. India’s role in Afghanistan, and India and the US’s worries over China’s rising aggression are also expected to be discussed.

The US is also expected to support, but may not endorse India’s efforts for a UN Security Council permanent seat.

The two countries will also finalise at least 10 agreements in several fields, including trade, clean energy, health, and aviation safety.

The lifting of restrictions on the export of hi-tech items and the ban on export of dual-use technology will also be discussed during the meeting.

India-US delegation level talks will begin at 12:40 pm.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Defence Minister AK Antony will join the meeting later.

The two sides will also issue a joint statement later today, which will outline new areas of cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

From 3:30 pm, Obama will meet Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for 20 minutes each at the Hotel Mauyra Sheraton.

Obama will address Members of Parliament at 5.30 p.m. and attend a state dinner hosted by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in the evening. (ANI)