NEW DELHI: India and the United States began a series of talks from Monday, which encompasses issues ranging from Myanmar to the recent North Korea rocket launch.
The talks will finally lead to the strategic dialogue in June between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
On Monday, senior Indian and American diplomats led the political and military dialogues.
The Indian side was led by Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary (America) Jawed Ashraf and the US side by Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Andrew Shapiro.
On Tuesday, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Kurt Campbell will hold discussions with his Indian counterpart in the MEA about East Asia, including Myanmar.
Myanmar is being perceived as a ‘chess board for battle’ for supremacy between China and the US.
The officials indicated that the agenda included the situation in the Korean peninsula, following the failed rocket launch last week. The South China sea issue is also likely to figure.
Sources said US special representative for Myanmar Derek Mitchell will be present during the talks.
The West has indicated that sanctions would be suspended against Myanmar.
Manmohan Singh is also visiting Myanmar in May.