City
Epaper

Pompeo reaffirms to Jaishankar of 'strong US commitment' to closer ties

By IANS | Updated: June 21, 2019 07:30 IST

Ahead of his New Delhi visit, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday to convey "strong US commitment to working closely with the new Indian government to advance our strategic partnership", according to his spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.

Open in App

Pompeo, who begins a three-day visit to New Delhi next Tuesday, congratulated Jaishankar on becoming the external affairs minister and discussed security and economic cooperation between the two countries with Jaishankar, she said in a statement.

"Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar also discussed shared US and Indian objectives in safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific, US-India security cooperation, and the US-India economic partnership", Ortagus said.

Pompeo's visit will be the first high-level meeting between the two countries after the Lok Sabha elections returned Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a stronger mandate.

On Wednesday, Pompeo cancelled a visit to Sri Lanka next week citing "unavoidable scheduling conflicts".

Earlier in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "Secretary Pompeo's visit will provide an opportunity and importance for both sides to explore ways to further strengthen India-US strategic partnership and continue the high-level engagement on matters of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional, and global issues.

"We look at this visit as an opportunity to discuss the issues which will be on the table," he said.

Key bilateral issues, like trade, are expected to be discussed at the meeting between Pompeo and Jaishankar.

Bilateral trade between India and US has almost touched $150 billion and there has been a growth every year in the last few years, Kumar said, adding there has been a seven-fold increase since 2001.

"There are 500 US companies operating in India", he said. "The contribution of Indian-Americans in the growth of US has been recognized by the US leadership. US has supported India for the permanent member of the (UN) Security Council. Last year, we held a two-plus-two dialogue (between Foreign and Defence Ministers/Secretaries). There is lot of cooperation going on in the high technology trade. So, there is plenty of action going on between India and US bilateral relationship."

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: usindiapompeoJaishankarkumar
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalLaGuardia Airport Plane Accident: At Least 2 Killed, Several Injured After Air Canada Express CRJ-900 Collides With Fire Truck on Runway

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

InternationalUS-Israel-Iran War: Japan, Germany, France Show Caution Over Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Warship Plan

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

National Realted Stories

NationalGujarat: Hotels, eateries fined for paneer display violations; 615 kg of substandard food destroyed

National"Youth should incorporate sports, yoga in daily routine": CM Yogi highlights UP's transformation ahead of World Health Day

MumbaiGold and Silver Price April 5: Yellow Metal Steady in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai; Silver Holds Near ₹2.33 Lakh per kg

National"This sacred day celebrates hope and renewal": PM Modi extends greetings on Easter

NationalEaster celebrations commence at Velankanni's Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, thousands join prayers