India wants access to ex-Phila. man linked to attacks

WASHINGTON - India made a push Thursday to interview an American citizen linked to the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks, adding a note of tension to high-level talks with the United States.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton did not publicly respond to the request by Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna. She said this week's inaugural U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue was a chance to address doubts in both countries that are hindering what she calls a crucial global relationship.

A major part of the talks dealt with extremists in Pakistan, both those fighting U.S. troops from havens along the Afghan-Pakistan border and those whom India blames for the attacks on its financial capital that left 166 people dead.

Without mentioning the name of the American, Krishna told Clinton during the dialogue's televised opening ceremonies that giving India access to people the United States apprehended in connection with Mumbai "is perhaps the logical next step."

Neither the State Department nor the Justice Department would comment on India's request. The American, David Coleman Headley, a former Philadelphia resident, has pleaded guilty to scouting Mumbai before the attacks.

The matter could be a sticking point in talks meant to ease Indian fears that relations with the United States have slipped since the Bush administration pushed through a landmark 2008 accord to establish civilian nuclear trade with formerly shunned India. That deal transformed ties after decades of mistrust, but New Delhi has since watched with wariness as Washington has forged deeper bonds with India's neighboring rivals, China and Pakistan.

To reinforce the U.S. message of reassurance, President Obama planned to visit the State Department later Thursday to speak at a reception for the assembled Indian and U.S. officials.

Clinton said that U.S.-Indian ties were at a pivotal moment and that the trust built this week should lead to results when officials meet next year in New Delhi for the second round of talks.

Clinton called India "an indispensable partner and a trusted friend" and said "a rising India is good for the United States and good for the world."