Washington: Ahead of a crucial meeting between secretary of state Hillary Clinton and union home minister P. Chidambaram, the United States on Friday said his visit is aimed at deepening strategic relationship with India.

“They will discuss the importance of expanded cooperation on counter-terrorism, following the Mumbai attack last November, and building a strong relationship among our senior national security officials,” assistant secretary of state for public affairs P. J. Crowley said.

Clinton was scheduled to meet Chidambaram on Friday at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

“This is his first visit to the United States as home minister and is an important element of our expanded strategic dialogue, launched by the secretary and external affairs minister S. M. Krishna during Clinton’s visit to India in July,” Crowley told reporters at his daily press briefing.

“And I think the home minister has—has or will meet with a wide range of US officials while here, including officials at the Justice Department, FBI, and at the White House,” he said.