Ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit, Dr. Manmohan Singh will have a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama, at Blayor House in Washington tonight. <br/><br/>This bilateral meeting will be of great significance as India hopes it would go a long way in re-evaluating and strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries. <br/><br/>A wide range of issues, ranging from Afghanistan, Pakistan, 26/11 investigation, nuclear terrorism and civil nuclear energy issues are likely to figure in the discussions. <br/><br/>Official sources say India is likely to ensure that any military package given to Pakistan should be linked to action against terrorist groups targeting India. <br/><br/>Official sources also feel that US and India should co-ordinate their positions on Afghanistan better. On the 26/11 investigations, Indian officials say that extraditing Headley will be a major step that will increase India’s trust in the United States. <br/><br/>India will also look forward to the removal of remaining Indian organizations from the NTP list which has been designed by the US to prevent these organizations from getting any nuclear sensitive equipment. <br/><br/>India will also flag its core concern of Nuclear terrorism given India’s vulnerability on its keenness to expand Civil Nuclear energy. <br/><br/>On Iran, New Delhi’s position is that it is not in favour of sanction against Iran and this position is likely to be clarified during the bilateral meeting.<br/><br/>Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar has said that India will come out with a special initiative at the Nuclear Security Summit. <br/><br/>Talking to AIR correspondent Sarita Brara in Washington, she said, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to make the announcement on the initiative during the deliberations at the summit. <br/><br/>Mrs Shankar said the nuclear security summit is expected to outline measures that different countries will take at the national and international level on securing nuclear material.<br/><br/>She said as more countries seek to expand use of nuclear energy, it is important to discuss measures to ensure that nuclear material does not fall into the wrong hands. <br/><br/>She said India is looking forward to President Obama's visit to India, the time frame for which is to be worked out. She said External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will be in Washington in June for the second round of strategic dialogue. <br/><br/>On the accord on reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel the Indian Ambassador said that it is likely to be signed in the near future after it gets formal approval from the systems of both countries. <br/>
News On AIR | April 11, 2010 11:05 AM
PM to meet Obama in Washington tonight