Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday said India and America were making “great strides” in expanding their ties on security and counter terrorism.

Clinton, who held talks last for more than two-and-a-half hours with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, described the discussions as “very productive” and focusing mainly on counter-terror cooperation between the two strategic partners.

Addressing a joint press conference with Krishna after the second strategic dialogue at the Hyderabad House here, she thanked her host for a “very productive meeting”.

“On security cooperation, we are deepening and expanding our cooperation and making great strides together.”

“I want to mention the emphasis we put on counter-terrorism,” she said, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims killed in the July 13 Mumbai serial blasts.

“Let me express our sympathy and outrage over the terrorist attack in Mumbai last week. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” she said, pledging that the US was with India in “your fight against terrorism which is also our fight against violent extremism”.

Clinton also pitched for greater defence related business ties between the two nations.

She said: “We believe strengthening our military to military ties, including the sale of defence technologies, will assist the Indian and American militaries to work together in a constructive way and everything from patrolling the seas, countering piracy, providing relief to victims of natural disasters.”

On economic ties between the two countries, she said: “Both India and the US can take further steps to reduce barriers open up markets and encourage new business partnerships to create jobs and opportunities for millions of our people.”