Gas imports, visa feature in Indo-US talks

Topics from Afghanistan to energy security and visas for Indian professionals were discussed during Union Government’s talks of visiting senior US diplomat Wendy Sherman.

The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Sherman is here on a day-long visit, during which she called on External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and had a detailed discussions with her counterpart, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai. According to sources, Khurshid raised the issue of visas for Indian professionals, which has been tightened in the recent months following backlash on outsourcing. 

Decision on Headly Soon 

Later in a TV interview, Sherman said that “there will soon be a ruling” on the Indian request for extradition of L-e-T operative David Headley. “That extradition request is before the US now. I expect that there will be a ruling on that soon. I can’t speak about the Department of Justice,” said Sherman.

At the same time, she added that Headley was also going to “pay for his role in this heinous act”.

“There are processes of justice what both of our countries recognise. That’s what is being played out with Headley. He has been convicted. He is about to face sentencing and he is going to pay for his role in this heinous act. I hope Indians understand the rule of law.”

On the economic front, Mathai told Sherman that India was deeply interested in importing LNG from the US. The discussions also featured developments in Afghanistan.