VOA标准英语2009-Pakistan on Agenda of US-India Talks

A high ranking American envoy¹ is in New Delhi for talks with top Indian officials. The visit comes at a time when the United States is urging India to restart peace talks with Pakistan.
　
William Burns comes out after holding a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister in New Delhi, India, 10 Jun 2009

The U.S. Undersecretary for political affairs is on a four-day stop here which includes rounds of talks with top Indian government officials.

The visit of William Burns marks the first formal talks between the Obama administration and the new Cabinet of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It comes ahead of an expected official visit next month by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The U.S. Undersecretary, in brief remarks to reporters, said his trip to India comes at a time of "extraordinary promise" for the relationship between Washington and New Delhi. Burns said President Barack Obama and Secretary Clinton sent him here with the message India is a top foreign policy priority for the United States and a crucial global partner for the 21st century.

After his meetings with India's Foreign and Home Affairs ministers, Burns deemed those discussions "excellent."

"I look forward to another productive day of meetings tomorrow as we chart together an ambitious bilateral² agenda for the next phase in the strategic partnership³ between our two countries," he said.

U.S. and Indian government sources say the discussions are touching⁴ upon a number of topics, including the deepening of defense⁵, economic and academic ties. The two countries, since last November's attack on Mumbai, have been increasing cooperation on fighting terrorism.

Also on the agenda - the stalled peace talks involving India and Pakistan. The United States is urging the two nuclear-armed neighbors to return to the table and attempt to settle their long-standing territorial⁶ dispute over the Kashmir region.

Talks have not been held since the Mumbai attack, in which more than 160 people died. India says the assault was carried out by heavily armed Pakistani militants⁷ and there is evidence of involvement of some Pakistani "state elements".

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a policy speech Tuesday, said his government was willing to meet Pakistan "more than half way." But New Delhi wants to see Islamabad bring to justice those responsible for planning the Mumbai attack.

The relationship between the United States and India has gradually warmed in recent years. A major breakthrough was a civil nuclear deal achieved during Prime Minister Singh's first administration and the second term of President George W. Bush.

The deal was opposed by India's left. But the Congress Party, the largest in the current government, is no longer dependent on the outside support of Communists to stay in power. That means there is now little, if any, political risk from responding to Washington's calls for even closer ties.

1 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

7 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。