US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid on Monday that focused on boosting trade and security ties.
The two were participating in the fourth edition of the annual dialogue in New Delhi’s Hyderabad House, Foreign Office spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said.
Besides talks on defence, security, trade and investment, the two sides were also to discuss regional issues such as Afghanistan.
Kerry was expected to address New Delhi’s concerns about the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and its talks offer with the Taliban, Indian officials said.
The contentious issues of India’s nuclear liability law and backing for local generic drug makers, as well as US attempts to restrict work visas were also expected to figure in talks.
Kerry, accompanied by a high-powered delegation including Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, arrived in India Sunday for a three-day visit. He was scheduled to meet Premier Manmohan Singh later Monday.
In a speech on Sunday, Kerry, called for New Delhi to play a “central role” in the next Afghan elections by improving its electoral system. He also urged New Delhi to improve trade ties with arch-rival Pakistan.