External Affairs Minister S M Krishna gave his perspective on the recent high-level Indo-Pak talks to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and also discussed how India's deep democratic tradition and expertise could be helpful in bringing democracy to Egypt.
In a telephonic conversation, "the External Minister gave his perspective on the recent high-level dialogue with Pakistan," State Department spokesman P J Crowley told PTI.
Following the recent talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in Bhutan, the two countries have agreed to resume their talks on all issues. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Delhi in July.
The Obama Administration has welcomed the decision. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs last week had hoped that the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan would lead to a productive outcome.
Crowley said Krishna and Clinton also discussed Egypt and how India could be helpful to bring democracy in the Arab nation where longtime President Hosni Mubarak was recently ousted in a popular uprising.
The two leaders also discussed how India, with its strong democratic tradition and expertise, could be helpful to Egypt which has now embarked on the path of democracy following the resignation of Mubarak, who ruled the country for more than 30 years.
"India has a deep democratic tradition and expertise that may be helpful depending on what Egypt decides its needs are," Crowley said.
Krishna also Clinton also discussed the issue of Tri-Valley University students, the spokesman said.
"Tri-Valley was discussed and we will continue to work together regarding a solution," Crowley said.
In a statement, the Indian Embassy here said Krishna, in his conversation with Clinton raised the plight of the Indian students who were registered with the dubious Tri-Valley University and sought her personal intervention in the matter with a view to ensuring that the interests of the students are protected and their future is not jeopardised.
Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar had earlier raised the issue with the Director of ICE emphasising that innocent students should not suffer and had been assured that the US authorities would handle this with good judgment.
The problem had also been raised with the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
In response to these efforts ICE had put up guidelines on January 28 and February 8 for the Tri-Valley students on their website http://www.Ice.Gov/sevis/tri-valley-110118.Htm.
The affected students have been advised to call the Student Exchange Visitors Programme (SEVP) and provide their specific details.
The website also indicates that SEVP will provide options to the students, including the option to depart from the US without an otherwise possibly applicable bar to re-admission in the future.
