New Delhi, India and the United States on Wednesday leaped forward in strengthening India-US Strategic Partnership braving irritants in trade ties with both the sides agreeing that there is also enhanced level of understanding and appreciation of India's defence position and other requirements among the policy makers in America.
"We see one another (India and the US) not simply as bilateral companions, however one thing a lot greater than that, in order that we may help one another all all over the world," the visiting US secretary of State Mike Pompeo said here after talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
On the vexed issues of 'trade disputes and S-400 procurement programme of India from Russia,' Mr Pompeo went onto say: "I see the two issues as real opportunities, I know that we can work together and provide a foundation for the relationship".
"I have never found an ally no matter how close, where we did not have places we have had to work. We have endeavoured to make sure that our countries can provide security for itself..... we also want India to be able to do that too," Mr Pompeo remarked.
To a question whether India's position on international affairs especially in the context of defence ties with Russia and India's own defence preparedness is well understood by the policy makers in Washington, EAM Jaishankar said: "This (New Delhi meet on June 26) is a start" and there can be always room for more works.
For his part, Mr Pompeo also said - "India's position is well understood in Washington....there is a deep keen appreciation" and more so in the context of a large Indian American population who helps American policy makers to understand how new India is evolving.
Dr Jaishankar said - "India and the US have a strategic partnership....The partnership is as broad as it is deep. Convergence of views on bilateral and regional interests has been growing steadily in the past few years".
Agreeing to his Indian counterpart on growing ties and better understanding between the two sides, Mr Pompeo said: "The US-India partnership is already beginning to reach new heights, including our defense corporation and our common vision for free and open Indo-Pacific".
Answering questions, Dr Jaishankar said both the leaders had detailed discussion about US-Iran conflict in the conflict. "We have a certain perspective on Iran, Secy Pompeo shared his views and I think both of us came better informed (at the end of the talks)".
He said definitely there is "common ground on energy" between the US and India and it is obvious that the American establishment and the US Secretary of State himself understands "what India's interests are".
External Affairs Minister also said - "We discussed the situation in the Gulf, I shared our interests and concerns with Secretary Pompeo, energy security is part of it but there are other concerns as well about diaspora, regional security and trade".
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined his 'vision' for the Strategic Partnership in the new tenure of the Indian Government under him 'and beyond' and clearly emphasised that this will be built on strong foundation of 'trust and shared interest'.
"The Prime Minister reiterated the priority that he attaches to relations with the U.S. and outlined his vision for the Strategic Partnership in the new tenure of the Government and beyond, building on strong foundation of trust and shared interest," a series of tweets from PMO said in reference to the US Secretary of State's meeting with him in morning hours.
"The Prime Minister expressed his strong commitment to achieve the full potential of bilateral relations in trade and economy, energy, defence, counter-terrorism and people-to-people contacts," another missive said.
Mr Pompeo also conveyed greetings of President Donald Trump to the Prime Minister and congratulated him on his electoral victory.
The Prime Minister thanked Secretary Pompeo for his warm greetings and requested him to convey his thanks also to President Trump for his good wishes.
The two leaders discussed various aspects of the bilateral relationship to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership.
Mr Pompeo's New Delhi visit comes days ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan possibly on June 28.
Indo Pacific is for peace, says Jaishankar: US does understand India, notes Pompeo
New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo held free, frank and candid discussions here on Wednesday on wide range of issues including on the situation in Iran region.
Speaking to reporters after the bilateral meeting, Dr Jaishankar said: "I made the point that Indo-Pacific is for something, not against somebody ....but for somebody and that something is peace, security, stability and prosperity".
He also said India is looking at a "landscape" where a number of independent players work together for what they believe to be global good.
Agreeing to his Indian counterpart on growing ties and better understanding between the two sides, Mr Pompeo said: "The US-India partnership is already beginning to reach new heights, including our defense corporation and our common vision for free and open Indo-Pacific".
Answering questions, Dr Jaishankar said both the leaders had detailed discussion about US-Iran conflict in the conflict. "We have a certain perspective on Iran, Secy Pompeo shared his views and I think both of us came better informed (at the end of the talks)".
He said definitely there is "common ground on energy" between the US and India and it is obvious that the American establishment and the US Secretary of State himself understands "what India's interests are".
Dr Jaishankar said at the deliberations, both the Foreign Ministers has tried for working at "harmonising our interests" and went onto remark that "that's really the task of diplomacy".
"Obviously from time to time in any relationship, specific issues will arise and I think we have discussed many of those issues," Dr Jaishankar said.
To a question whether India's position on international affairs especially in the context of defence ties with Russia and India's own defence preparedness is well understood by the policy makers in Washington, EAM Jaishankar said: "This (New Delhi meet on June 26) is a start" and there can be always room for more works.
For his part, Mr Pompeo also said - "India's position is well understood in Washington....there is a deep keen appreciation" and more so in the context of a large Indian American population who helps American policy makers to understand how new India is evolving.
US fast tracks efforts to boost ties: Envoy meets Nirmala and Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) The US has put its efforts to boost ties with India especially on economic and defense sectors on fast track and the envoy Ken Juster held a series of important meetings during last two days.
The US ambassador to India met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Tuesday.
Previous day, on Monday he had called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and shared his views on the meeting in a tweet saying: "Always a pleasure to meet again with Minister Rajnath Singh. Good discussion on the US India Defense relationship".
US Navy's Rear Admiral Francis Morley also arrived here on June 24. "Excellent discussion on our defense cooperation with India and next steps to expand the defense relationship," Mr Juster had tweeted.
In a statement - Fact Sheet - the US government has highlighted about "the reinvigorated quadrilateral dialogue" between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia and pointed that the four countries have met four times since President Trump took office to discuss ways to strengthen a "rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific in which all nations are sovereign, strong, and prosperous".
The statement also talks about the second trilateral meeting between the leaders of the United States, India, and Japan (under the JAI arrangements) to be held on the margins of the G20 Summit in Osaka either on June 28 or 29.
The statement hails the first 2+2 Dialogue held in September 2018 in Delhi that had 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.
"We anticipate holding the next 2+2 in late 2019 in Washington, D.C," it said.
The Fact Sheet said: The United States granted India Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status last year, allowing India to enjoy the same license-free access to certain defense articles as NATO allies, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This status also creates greater supply chain efficiency and supports U.S. industry and investment".
As Pompeo to kick-start diplomatic talks, US bats for lowering of trade barriers
New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo begins his India visit days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral engagement with the US President Donald Trump, Washington has strongly favoured New Delhi lowering the trade barriers and "embrace fair and reciprocal trade".
"The Trump administration is working to ensure that American companies operating in India have the same level playing field that Indian companies enjoy in the United States. There is enormous potential to grow our trade relationship and create the high-quality jobs that Prime Minister Modi wants if India lowers trade barriers and embraces fair and reciprocal trade," an US government statement said here.
The statement seeks to show that the mood of the American side before parleys with Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is extremely positive and also tries to negate the atmosphere of disputes as being generally perceived especially in trade and over India's arms deal with Russia.
The statement says - "the bond between the US and India is unbreakable" and goes on to add:
"As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, the United States and India share deep respect for one another’s values and traditions. Our people and cultures are profoundly intertwined".
It also said that the Indian diaspora in the United States is nearly four million strong. "Indian-Americans are thriving in the United States and helping to make our communities more secure and prosperous through their leadership in industry, academia, and government."
It also said that economic partnership has enormous potential for growth and that the US companies see "great opportunity" in India, and increased economic openness and investment will yield mutual benefit.
"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 U.S. goods. Two-way bilateral goods and services trade with India totaled $142 billion in 2018, up 12.6 percent, or almost $16 billion, over the prior year".
It also said that the US crude oil exports to India are surging, increasing India’s energy security while reducing the bilateral trade deficit. The United States exported nearly 50 million barrels of crude to India in 2018, compared to less than 10 million barrels in 2017, and is on pace to export even greater volumes in 2019.
Moreover the US defense 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.
The statement said President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are firmly committed to accelerating the "upward trajectory of this partnership".
"Prime Minister Modi’s sweeping mandate in the recent elections creates a unique opportunity to realize this vision," it said.
The United States and India are moving quickly to achieve the shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region by expanding cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation, and space, the statement said.
Mr Pompeo, who arrived here on Tuesday night, would kick start his diplomatic engagement with a call on to Prime Minister Modi at around 1000 hours on Wednesday.
This will be followed by a meeting between him and EAM Dr Jaishankar.
"We are looking at this visit as an useful input," a diplomatic source said here.
"This is a visit about two ministers Mr Pompeo and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar getting to know each other. Because we will have many things to do at later stage".
"The maximum benefits we can get out of this talk is what goes inside the hall and not what happens outside in terms of agreements," the source said.
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