New Delhi: US secretary of state John Kerry flew into New Delhi on Wednesday to begin annual strategic dialogue here on Thursday.
Amid expectations that India and the US will be able to impart a fresh impetus to their bilateral ties, a top Obama administration official said that the US is “very disappointed” with India’s stand at the ongoing Trade Facilitation Agreement talks at the WTO .
Both sides exuded optimism ahead of the dialogue and indicated willingness to take the relationship forward.
New Delhi appeared to echo what Washington had said Tuesday on its expectations from the talks, saying that “transformative initiatives” will be explored to take ties “to the next level.”
As India has taken a tough stand at WTO, Mr Kerry said that New Delhi must decide its role in global trade order.
“As we work with our trading partners around the world to advance trade and investment liberalisation, India must decide where it fits in the global trading system. Its commitment to a rules-based trading order and its willingness to fulfil its obligation will be a key indication,” the US secretary of state said.
External affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin described Indo-US ties as being at “a stage of stable and mature growth,” and added that the two sides are likely to ?explore new frontiers and initiatives to further promote the bilateral relationship.”
