Tuesday, August 8 2006 11:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia, Richard Boucher, held talks with senior Ministry of External Affairs officials in the capital on yesterday (Aug 7, 2006).

A government spokesman said that Boucher had fruitful meetings with S.Jaishanker, Joint Secretary (Americas) and the Joint Secretary (Eurasia).

The discussions included a review of the follow up action to the March 2, 2006 and 18 July 2005 Joint Statements. They noted that considerable progress has been made on economic, trade, agriculture, energy, science and technology and defence cooperation areas outlined in those statements. Views were also exchanged on regional issues of mutual concern.

Boucher was scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran later in the evening.