Clinton to Discuss Security Issues on India Visit

NEW DELHI – Indian leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will discuss security and counterterrorism efforts when she visits in days, an Indian official said Friday.

Cooperation on the economy, defense, environment, trade and other issues are also expected to be discussed, said Vishnu Prakash, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman.

After Wednesday's Mumbai bombings, Clinton said she would not be deterred from visiting India.

"I believe it is more important than ever that we stand with India, deepen our partnership and reaffirm our commitment to the shared struggle against terrorism," she said.

Clinton is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Monday and meet the next day with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and officials in the government and opposition, Prakash told reporters.

In March, senior Indian and U.S. officials had met and shared existing threat assessments and reviewed ongoing cooperation in combating terror, including intelligence sharing and capacity building, Prakash said.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visited New Delhi in May for talks on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and cyber security.

Clinton is expected later to visit the southeastern port city of Chennai, home to growing U.S. investments, before attending a regional summit in Indonesia.