India and the US have affirmed that the recent unauthorised leak of classified American diplomatic cables that created a worldwide storm, will not affect the growing relationship between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has been in a damage control mode ever since the explosive cables were leaked out by WikiLeaks, made a telephone call to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to discuss a wide range of issues ranging from bilateral relationship, to the situation in the region including Afghanistan, besides WikiLeaks cables.
The telephonic conversation between the two leaders lasted for about 15 minutes, State Department spokesman P J Crowley said.
"They covered a range of subjects which reflect the depth of US-Indian relations, including President (Barack) Obama's successful visit and plans for the next Strategic Dialogue," he said.
The
two also talked about the importance of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation and also discussed the situation in Afghanistan.
Krishna also offered condolences on the demise of Richard Holbrooke, the Obama Administration's pointsman on AfPak affairs.
"The Secretary and Minister agreed that unauthorised release of classified cables would not affect cooperation between India and the United States," Crowley said.
MEA officials in New Delhi said Krishna invited Clinton to visit India for the second round of the strategic dialogue, dates for which will be decided through diplomatic channels.
The first round of the strategic dialogue was held in the US in June this year. Separately, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs William Burns had a telephonic conversation with foreign secretary Nirupama Rao on various bilateral issues and regional matters of mutual importance.