Tuesday, January 31 2006 11:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Promotion of democracy and human rights, cooperation in science and technology as also combating human trafficking will be among areas of focus at the meeting of a high-level Indo-US forum on global issues to be held in New Delhi from tomorrow (Feb 1, 2006).

The State Department has announced that Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky will lead the American delegation to the fourth U.S.-India Global Issues Forum.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran will lead the Indian delegation.

The Forum will focus on "Increased cooperation on democracy and human rights promotion, humanitarian assistance and refugees, combating trafficking in persons, health, environment, science and technology," said a statement of the State Department yesterday (Jan 30,2006).

Dobriansky will also have meetings with her Indian counterparts on the Asia Pacific Partnership on CleanDevelopment and Climate as also participate in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit on February 2.