Ranjan Mathai, India’s Foreign Secretary, will be travelling to Washington later this week. During his two-day visit (6-8 February), he is expected to meet Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary – Political Affairs, and other senior officials.
Amongst other issues, sanctions on Iranian oil imports by the US and EU is expected to figure prominently in the talks. Earlier last month, Mathai had argued that while India will adhere to UN sanctions, it is not bound by unilateral sanctions imposed by other countries.
The visit is also expected to set the stage for the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna, to Washington for the third India-US strategic dialogue to be held later this year.