Rumsfeld gives Advani a surprise, calls on him at latter's hotel
T V Parasuram in Washington, Rediff.com, June 09, 2003

In another major gesture signaling the importance the US attaches to ties with India, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called on Deputy Prime Minister Advani shortly after the latter arrived in Washington from New York on a week-long official visit to the US. [...]

Bilateral issues, including growing defence cooperation between the United States and India, figured prominently during talks between the two leaders.

"Secretary Rumsfeld raised the question of India contributing troops for the stabilisation of Iraq. The deputy prime minister said that this matter was under the consideration of the government of India and that a decision will be taken after taking all aspects into account," it said.

The two leaders suggested have proposed that the next meeting of the US-India Defence Policy Group in Washington on August 6-7 for, the statement said.

- posted by ARYABHATT @ 9:00 pm