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New Delhi, Sept 20 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Sujata Singh on Friday said that energy cooperation, including civil nuclear deal, and defence cooperation are the pillars of strategic relationship between India and United States of America.

“Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is visiting the United States from Sept 26 to Sept 30. We expect the summit level meeting will reaffirm political commitment to the ongoing efforts on both sides to intensify our strategic partnership,” she told media here today.

She said that this will be Prime Minister’s third summit meeting with President Obama, and added that the relationship has reached the ‘stage of maturity’.

She also said that both countries would be looking at ways to convert the buyer-seller relationship to design, develop and produce in the defence sector.

About civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed in 2008, Sujata Singh said the two leaders will review its implementation.

Commenting on the issue of the nuclear civil liability cooperation, Sujata Singh asserted that there is no question of Indian law being violated or diluted, and added that the Government is committed towards this and believes that nuclear energy is important for enhancing energy security and growth of the country.

She further said that Prime Minister would raise concerns over the proposed changes in the US visa norms during his meeting with President Obama.

“US Congress is discussing certain regulations with regard to issuing of Visas to skilled non-immigrant workers which is a cause of concern for Indian Government,” she added.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh would meet President of United States Barack Obama on 27th September in Washington DC.

Manmohan Singh would be accompanied by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid,.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh would address the United Nations General Assembly on September 28. There will also be a number of bilateral meetings between the Prime Minister and other heads of states during the visit. (ANI)