WASHINGTON (TIP): US secretary of State John Kerry, May 29, connected with his Indian counterpart, the new external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, after the two were reportedly finding it hard to zero in on a mutually convenient time to converse.

When the conversation did take place, there was no read-out of the engagement in Washington but New Delhi said the two leaders discussed reenergizing ties and getting back on track towards enhancing trade and economic ties to the $500 billion target from its current $100 million.

Swaraj also briefed Kerry on India‘s engagement with the SAARC countries including Pakistan, and both are looking forward to meeting each other, Indian officials were quoted as saying. There was no word on dates for Kerry’s visit to New Delhi or Swaraj’s trip to Washington DC although the two sides are slated to hold a “strategic dialogue” in summer.