India, U.S. hold senior diplomatic level talks

India and the U.S. have held senior diplomatic level talks in the national capital, local media reported Thursday.

The diplomatic talks took place between Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Biswal, Wednesday, the Hindu newspaper reported.

The two senior diplomats discussed ways to energise the existing dialogue mechanisms and "generate fresh momentum over the next few months", the newspaper quoted sources as saying.

"The Foreign Secretary underlined the need for officials on both sides to expeditiously resolve outstanding issues, to enable both sides to focus their energies on the substantive and strategic issues that underpin this vital partnership," the sources added.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries strained following the arrest of Indian Deputy Consul General in New York, Devyani Khobragade, in December last year on charges of visa fraud and underpaying her maid.

The 39-year-old woman diplomat was later released on bail and returned to India though the U.S. is yet to withdraw the charges against her, which carry a prison term of up to 15 years.