New Delhi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State arrives in India today for a three-day visit during which he will co-direct the fifth India-US Strategic Dialogue, along with the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sushma Swaraj. During his stay in New Delhi, Kerry will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The trip is the first high-level meeting between the Obama administration and the new Indian government led by Modi. Kerry is leading a delegation that includes, among others, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzkerin. " We already have very strong people-to-people relations - says Democrat Joe Crowley - and our two countries should be doing everything we can to work together more and more "
According to many analysts, Kerry's presence will be an opportunity to plan Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in September, where he will meet U.S. President Barack Obama.
Until a little over three months ago Narendra Modi was considered "persona non grata" by the United States, which since 2005 denied him an entry visa for "severe violations of religious freedom," according to the International Religious Freedom Act. He was chief minister of Gujarat during the massacres between Hindus and Muslims in 2002, of which he is considered by many to be responsible.
After his election as Prime Minister of India, speculation started over the attitude adopted by the United States. On 11 July, Obama extended a formal invitation to Modi to visit in the United States in September and to "work together" to make their bilateral relationship a "significant partnership" for the 21st century.
