Chidambaram arrives in US to discuss anti-terror cooperation India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday arrived in New York, and is likely to discuss Indo-US anti-terrorism cooperation and Pakistan's inaction against perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks with the top American officials during his four-day US visit. Anti-terrorism cooperation between India and the US is one of the key pillars of bilateral ties identified by the Obama Administration as was reflected during the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Indian visit. Chidambaram, who arrived in New York on Tuesday, will have a first hand experience of the steps being taken by the US to prevent terror attacks. One main component of his New York trip would be an interaction with the Police Department, which has not only reinforced its anti-terror force, but also taken a series of measures in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks last year. Chidambaram is scheduled to meet several top officials of the Obama Administration in Washington, including his counterpart Janet Napolitano; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Attorney General Eric H Holder. The Home Minister is also scheduled to meet the top US intelligence and security officials, including FBI Director Robert Mueller and Director of National Intelligence Dennis C Blair; besides meeting National Security Adviser, Gen (Retd) James Jones at the White House. A tour of the National Counter-terrorism Centre in Virginia is also on his itinerary. Chidambaram is also expected to hold talks with key US lawmakers, including Senator Joe Lieberman, Chairman, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and Congressman Sylvester Reyes, Chairman, House Select Committee on Intelligence.