Bangalore:  Seeking to deepen Indo-US ties after a recent series of setbacks, including a stand-off over the Devyani Khobragade episode, a top US diplomat of Indian origin today began her three-day visit to India.

Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, had planned her India visit in January but it was postponed over the diplomatic row caused by the US arresting Khobragade on visa fraud charges in December.

As she arrived in Bangalore, Biswal announced that the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) will provide USD 2.7 million for increasing clean energy access to India.

USAID awarded a USD 200,000 grant for SELCO Foundation to help establish six “innovation labs” that will develop and test sustainable energy solutions. The agency is also supporting a USD 2.5 million loan guarantee to Orb Energy, a clean energy service provider.

“I am pleased to be here to highlight this latest addition to the constellation of amazing cooperative opportunities between the United States and India to expand access to clean energy,” she said….

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