Indian foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon is reported to be in US with a motive to convince the US government to pressurize Pakistan to clean up the terrorists groups breeding in its soil. The immediate move to persuade US was taken in the wake of the Mumbai terror incidents. Shivshankar Menon is supposed to hold talks with Bush administration officials during his US stint. Apart from it, he is likely to meet influential figures like Wendy Sherman, one of two former Clinton administration officials leading the transition team at the State Department for President-elect Barack Obama.

 

During his meeting, the foreign secretary will urge the Obama's transition team to put pressure on Pakistan to restrict terrorism. The Mumbai terror attacks have countless evidences which claim the involvement of Pakistan. Although Islamabad denied any involvement, many of the Indian leaders believe that the entire terrorists operations were conducted from Pakistan. The terror strikes in the financial city of India have shaken the entire political, social and economic base of the country.

 

Menon will also hold talks with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns during his US mission. William Burns worked as Washington's chief interlocutor during the India-US nuclear deal. Menon's US mission is likely to light up some hope of India to combat the menace of terrorism which has taken so many lives besides incurring huge national losses.