Kerry in India with Obama's Mumbai message

[globalvillage]

NEW DELHI: With India not convinced about Pakistan's crackdown on terror outfits in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, influential US Senator John Kerry arrived here Sunday on a two-day visit with a message of solidarity from the incoming Obama administration to calm tensions in the region.

Kerry will meet External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon Monday to discuss the US' perception of Pakistan's action against terrorist outfits which India blames for the Nov 26 terror attacks in Mumbai.

Kerry, who will be chairman of the influential Senate Committee for Foreign Relations in the incoming administration, is also expected to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He is carrying an important message from US president-elect Barack Obama, who takes charge Jan 20, that unveils the incoming administration's plans for close cooperation between New Delhi and Washington on counter-terrorism and regional issues, reliable sources said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Kerry_in_India_with_Obamas_Mumbai_message/articleshow/3836241.cms


This is the third stop on Sen. Kerry's overseas trip which included Poznan, Poland for the climate talks and Georgia, where he called on Russia to adhere to a cease-fire agreement after Russian troops occupied a village within Georgia's borders.

He will also visit Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kuwait.

[blm]

1. And THIS is why it was important for Kerry to BE in the senate for these matters - the legislation

is going to have to be written by someone who REALLY knows these issues best. He would have been an EXCELLENT SoS, but there are too few senators who can write the legislation that will be NEEDED for Obama to succeed.