The United States and India began a full day of talks today on wide-ranging issues as the two countries look to further strengthen ties and cooperation in confronting worldwide challenges, according to dpa. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the strategic dialogue intended to expand the strong ties developed in recent years into a global partnership. The discussions focus on economic development and trade, science and technology, civilian nuclear power, as well as security and diplomatic issues. Clinton was to hold a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna followed by a luncheon with top US and Indian officials. US President Barack Obama is expected to drop by at the conclusion of the dialogue. Numerous US and Indian officials are also holding separate meetings. The United States and India hope the talks will evolve into a regular exchange of ideas to promote tighter relations between the two countries. The United States and India have forged warm relations during the last 10 years after decades of frosty Cold War relations. The cornerstone of the new relationship was a nuclear cooperation deal finalized in October 2008 that allows US firms for provide India with nuclear related material and technology to support civilian power reactors.
