US Senator John McCain begins India tour tomorrow; Kerry visit on July 31

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in September, leaders from across the American political spectrum will be visiting India this month starting with Republican Senator John McCain, who will be here tomorrow, and Secretary of State John Kerry, who will be here on July 31.

The Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said that McCain will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tomorrow. It will be the first high-level interaction between the new government and the leading light of the US Congress.

Significantly, McCain, the Republican Senator from Arizona, has joined a group of legislators which is urging the Congressional leadership to invite Modi to address a joint session of the US Congress.

The US Secretary of State will also be visiting India to hold Indo-US Strategic Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Swaraj on July 31, officials said.

Kerry and Swaraj are expected to prepare the ground for a bilateral meeting between Modi and US President Barack Obama, who had invited the Indian leader for a meeting in Washington.

However, Kerry's visit will be preceded by US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns's trip here.