New Delhi, Jul 19 (IANS): India and the US Tuesday began their second strategic dialogue to expand counter-terror cooperation and expedite implementation of their landmark civil nuclear deal.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived here Monday night heading a 25-member delegation of US officials, and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna jointly chaired the talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
The two sides are expected to discuss an entire gamut of issues, including strategic cooperation, counter-terrorism, energy and climate change, education, science and technology, health and defence, officials said.
India and the US are likely to sign key pacts in the areas of cyber security and civil aviation after the talks, said sources.
She will also call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi before she heads to Chennai, India's southern city which is becoming a hub for American investment.
Clinton's visit comes less than a week after coordinated bombings in India's commercial hub of Mumbai killed 19 people July 13. India is likely to seek US assistance in probing the bombings. It's not yet clear what kind of cooperation New Delhi may want from Washington on this.
Besides bilateral issues, the volatile situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region will be an important part of the discussions.