Kerry in India to push commercial ties with U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is in India to attend an international investment conference and push trade ties with the giant South Asian nation ahead of visit by President Barack Obama later this month. Kerry arrived in the capital of Gujarat state, Ahmedabad, on Sunday to lead the U.S. delegation to the Vibrant Gujarat Investment Summit. The gathering seeks to promote responsible sustainable development. India’s prime minister will open the conference and Kerry will see him to discuss plans for Obama’s upcoming trip to participate in India’s annual Republic Day ceremonies. In Ahmedabad, Kerry will also hold talks with the prime minister of the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, a rare cabinet-level meeting between the two nations. Kerry stopped briefly in Germany on Saturday to meet with the ailing ruler of Oman, the Mideast country that’s served an important intermediary role in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

Politics