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Deep-water dreams take Hillary to Mamata

They both said namaste and broke into what did seem like spontaneous smiles. The US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, dressed in an electric blue suit, has agreed to invest in West Bengal and treat it like a partner state, a beaming Mamata Banerjee announced at Writer’s Building on Monday afternoon. The sectors for investment have been identified as software, manufacturing, tourism and education.

But, what they discussed most crucially was the American interest in exploring the deep sea in the Bay of Bengal. The sources said that Clinton was keen to win the confidence of Banerjee in letting major US companies exploring the sea.

The issues like foreign direct investment in retail and the Teesta water-sharing with Bangladesh did not figure in their conversation, Banerjee said.

‘I had a positive, constructive, creative and concrete discussion with Hillary Clinton. We discussed various issues, and I am happy to inform you that she expressed her willingness to join in as partner state and invest in Bengal,’ Banerjee announced after her meeting with Clinton.

The chief secretary of West Bengal Samar Ghosh and the US ambassador to India Nancy Powell will monitor the progress of investment, Banerjee added. The US secretary of state apparently welcomed the political change in the state after 34 years and praised her government for speedy implementation of programmes.

The chief minister had two other proposals for Clinton though. One was a Hollywood-Bollywood-Tollywood collaboration on development of the entertainment industry. The other one was a world youth festival to be held in Chicago, where Swami Vivekananda had delivered his famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions. Clinton said she would get back on these proposals after discussing with US officials.

Earlier in the morning, Clinton showed bonhomie with students and teachers of La Martiniere for Girls as well as some eminent Kolkatans. Many tough questions from students, like the ones on Iran and Israel, fetched diplomatic replies. School captains met Clinton at the gate and greeted her with fowers. ‘She is a role model for young girls all over the world. Her words were motivating,’ said Rika Kumar, a student of Class XII, who attended the interactive session at her school.


WITH PM, CLINTON DISCUSSES NUCLEAR TIES, TERROR, AF-PAK

Key strategic issues, including civil-nuclear cooperation, terrorism, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Iran and security were discussed between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who also briefed Manmohan Singh on her recent China visit.

Clinton, who is here on the last leg of her three-nation Asia tour, called on Singh at his Race Course Road residence, during which the two sides discussed ways to enhance economic ties. The prime minister outlined the opportunities in infrastructure area, official sources said.

The US secretary of state also conveyed her country's expectations on the opening of foreign direct investment in retail sector as well as a new set of economic reforms by the Indian government.

Both sides also talked about Iran and all aspects of Tehran's engagement with the international community including India.

The US has been urging India and other countries to slash oil imports from Iran to step up pressure on Tehran to comply with international demands over its nuclear programme, with Clinton earlier in the day asking New Delhi to do even more on this front.

Singh and Clinton talked about the situation in Afghanistan and the ways to sustain development and stability in the region.
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