Come Nov, India will get chance for talks with Rice, Kasuri

With the nuclear deal expected

to have reached a stage by then for both countries to enter into a formal bilateral agreement for civil nuclear cooperation, Rice’s visit is expected to be of immense value. It may be noted that representatives of Russia, France and UK are also expected to be here for the meeting.

These countries have already

endorsed the deal and are working closely with the America and India

to garner support at the Nuclear

Suppliers Group to help end New Delhi’s isolation.

On the neighbourhood front, the event provides an opportunity for Kasuri to travel to India after a spate of terror attacks slowed down the peace process. With both sides hoping to pick up momentum after the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at Havana on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned nations’ meet next month, Kasuri’s visit could be significant in terms of taking forward the engagement on contentious issues in the dialogue.

While confirmations are still to trickle, sources said, there are sufficient indications that the meeting will attract a healthy attendance. India, among the top five donors to Afghanistan, will look to use the stage to also discuss ways to tackle terror sweeping the region.