Indo-US meets on counter-IED, investments ahead of Barack Obama's visit

NEW DELHI: Ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit, India and the US are holding a series of high-level meetings in key areas of investment, counter-IED and infrastructure here as well as in Washington.

While the three-day India-US infrastructure collaboration platform, which started yesterday, was taking place here, simultaneously Indo-US Investment Initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of US Treasury with special focus on capital market development and financing of infrastructure was happening in Washington.

There is also a four-day meeting between India and the US on counter improvised explosive devices ( IED) being held in Washington since yesterday during which ways to help India tackle the threat of IEDs with information and technology was being discussed.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in September where he held a bilateral meeting with Obama in White House, the two sides had committed to pursue provision of US-made mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles to India.

Apart from capacity building in the area of counter IED, the detection capabilities of various Indian forces like BSF, CISF were deliberated upon, according to sources.

Obama will be in India as chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. He will also hold talks with top Indian leadership including Modi on various key bilateral issues.

Yesterday, the Official Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry termed the upcoming visit of US President as a "landmark" trip and said both countries were working hard to have "excellent outcome" from it.

Another meet to explore ways of easing travel between India and the US after India decided visa-on-arrival for US citizen and works toward meeting the requirements to make the United States' Global Entry Program available to Indian citizens will be held here on Thursday.