India, US start strategic dialogue

The United States on Monday called its ties with India as one of the defining relationships of the 21st century and expressed its desire to push for implementation of the civil nuclear deal, as the two countries began the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in the national capital. "The U.S. and India have reaffirmed commitment to full and timely implementation of the civil nuclear deal," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told the media after a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here. Secretary Kerry, who arrived in India Sunday on a three-day trip, also confirmed that the two countries held discussions on defense co-production, and cooperation in space, technology, education and agriculture at the fourth edition of the strategic dialogue co-chaired by him and Khurshid. He also announced that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden would visit India next month. When asked about U.S. talks with Taliban, Kerry said: " Officials in India will be briefed directly on it. We are in touch with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This is an Afghan-led process. " Khurshid added: "Kerry has said that the U.S. will ensure that none of India's concerns on talks with Taliban are overlooked or undermined." In a humanitarian gesture, Washington also announced donation for flood victims in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. "We express our deep sorrow to all the people affected by the floods. We would like to donate 150,000 U.S. dollars for the relief of flood victims in Uttarakhand," Kerry said.