|
The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh informed the Lok Sabha today that India and the United States coordinated closely to respond to the Tsunami disaster. Alongwith Japan and Australia, and later Canada and the Netherlands, they comprised a Core Group to coordinate disaster relief efforts, prioritize needs, avoid duplication and complement each other’s capabilities.
The Minister also informed that a U.S. Senate delegation led by Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist visited New Delhi on 10 January, 2005. The delegation called on the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Health Minister. Issues discussed during various meetings included the expansion of the emerging strategic partnership between India and the United States and our converging interests on various regional and global issues. Relief efforts in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster were also a subject of exchange of views, he added.
The Minister was replying to a question by Shri Rayapati Sambasiva Rao.
AK/SK/JA
|
