Mumbai: Declaring that "we are entering a promising new era with India", US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held an "exciting and fruitful meeting" with Indian corporate honchos over breakfast after signing a condolence book at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel here as she began her first visit to India after assuming office.
"We are entering a promising new era with India," Clinton, dressed in a bright red business suit, told reporters after the breakfast meeting that was attended, among others, by Ratan Tata, Mukesh Ambani, Swati Piramal, Sudha Murthy, Chanda Kochhar and Adi Godrej.
"I had an exciting and fruitful meeting with business leaders. We discussed the approach to (the current) economic crisis," Clinton added.
She also asserted US will support all efforts by India in its fight against terrorism, says Clinton and will not pressure India to resume talks with Pakistan “as it is for a sovereign state to decide on”.
Earlier, Clinton also participated in a commemorative event for the 26/11 victims at the Taj hotel, which was badly damaged during the Nov 26-29, 2008 terror attack on India's financial capital that claimed over 170 lives, including those of 26 foreigners.
Clinton, who is staying at the Tower Wing of the Taj Hotel to express solidarity with the victims of the Mumbai terror attack on November 26 last, began her day by signing the remembrance book for victims of the terror strike. Meeting with some staffers of the Taj and Oberoi
"I was deeply touched to meet the staff of Taj and Oberoi," she said.
Later on Saturday, Clinton will visit the marketing headquarters here of Ahmedabad-based NGO Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA).
She will examine the textile and garment exhibits created by the SEWA members, and also discuss the progress of the Global Women's Trade Finance Council of which she is co-chairperson along with SEWA founder Ela Bhatt.
Around 1500 hrs IST, Clinton will go to St. Xaviers' College, diagonally opposite Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the railway station that was one of the sites of the 26/11 terror attacks.
An interaction is planned with students and teachers of the college as well as representatives of some NGOs where Bollywood actor Aamir Khan will be present.
Clinton arrived here late Friday and was immediately taken to the Taj hotel, where she has decided to stay during her sojourn in Mumbai as a mark of solidarity with the victims of terror.
Clinton will fly to New Delhi Sunday for meetings with India's political leaders and members of the civil society.
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