City
Epaper

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives Delhi

By IANS | Updated: June 26, 2019 03:10 IST

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived New Delhi on Tuesday night on his three-day visit to the country to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations.

Open in App

Pompeo will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday to discuss agenda for the US-India strategic partnership.

He will also deliver a speech on the future of the relationship and opportunities for cooperation on global issues of shared concern.

As vibrant democracies rooted in shared values, with fast-growing economies, cultures of entrepreneurship, and leadership positions on the global stage, the United States and India are natural strategic partners, a statement issued by the US Department of State said.

US President Donald Trump and Modi are firmly committed to accelerating the upward trajectory of this partnership. Modi's sweeping mandate in the recent elections creates a unique opportunity to realise this vision, it said.

The statement further said: "The US and India are moving quickly to achieve our shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region by expanding cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation, and space".

"We have elevated the level of strategic interaction between our two countries, most notably through the annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue that pairs the Secretaries of State and Defense with their Indian counterparts.

"The first 2+2 was held in September 2018 and culminated in the announcement of a new tri-service exercise and the signing of a secure communications agreement that will enable India to operationalize its status as a Major Defense Partner," it said.

We anticipate holding the next 2+2 in late 2019 in Washington, it further added.

The United States granted India Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status last year, allowing India to enjoy the same licence-free access to certain defence articles as NATO allies, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This status also creates greater supply chain efficiency and supports US industry and investment.

Secretary Pompeo's visit marks the third visit to India by a Secretary of State during the Trump Administration.

The United States is India's most important trading partner. As India's number one overseas market, the United States purchases close to one-fifth of India's exports. India is also the fastest growing major market for US goods, the statement said.

Two-way bilateral goods and services trade with India totaled $142 billion in 2018, up 12.6 per cent, or almost $16 billion, over the prior year.

US defence sales to India are estimated to reach approximately $18 billion by 2019 from near zero in 2008, boosting India's national security capabilities and increasing employment in both countries.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiausNarendra ModiUnited Statespompeo
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalCabinet Approves PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana to Boost Agriculture, Benefit 1.7 Crore Farmers

NationalChennai Metro Update: MRTS Handover to CMRL in Final Stage, Awaiting Railway Board and Minister's Nod

International‘This Might Hit You Hard’: NATO Chief Mark Rutte's Warning to India, China, and Brazil Over Russia Ties Amid Ukraine War

EntertainmentAkshay Oberoi Set to Make His International Debut, The Actor Jets Off to the US

InternationalIndian Woman Caught Stealing Merchandise Worth Over INR 1 Lakh from US Store; Video Surfaces

National Realted Stories

NationalMaha CM holds talks with Uniqlo for more investment in the state

NationalArgentina stands with India in combatting terrorism: Ambassador Caucino

National‘Mumbai first’ vs ‘contractor first’ policy: Eknath Shinde slams Uddhav Thackeray

NationalOver 2.51 lakh Yatris performed ongoing Amarnath Yatra in 15 days

NationalBJP blasts Rahul Gandhi's stealing charge at EC, scoffs at jail swipe on Assam CM