Clinton to tour Turkey, Greece, India

During her July 15-16 stay in Turkey, the top US diplomat will participate in meetings of the Contact Group on Libya, which includes more than 40 nations that either play a role in or support the NATO mission targeting longtime leader Moamer Qadhafi.

The discussions are "part of our efforts to protect civilians and to facilitate the start of an inclusive Libyan national dialogue that will lead to the country's reconciliation and reconstruction," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.

Clinton will also meet with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to discuss Libya, Syria and other concerns.

In Greece July 17-18, the secretary of state will meet with President Carolos Papoulias, Prime Minister George Papandreou and Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis.

Clinton will then head to India for the second round of the US-India Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi on July 19, leading the US delegation accompanied by senior administration officials.

The trip, Clinton's second to India as America's top diplomat, signals Washington's growing focus on shoring up its ties with the South Asian powerhouse.

"The depth of the US-India Strategic Dialogue demonstrates the United States' strong support for India as an important actor on the world stage and is representative of the broad and multifaceted US-India relationship," Nuland said, noting the broad range of issues from counterterrorism to scientific innovation covered by the partnership.

"Together, the United States and India are working to face the most important and pressing challenges of our time."

Clinton will also visit the business hub of Chennai during her stay.

Security concerns are likely to top the meetings, as India expresses growing concern over instability in its neighbor and arch-rival Pakistan.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011