"Welcomed FM @MHaneefAtmar of Afghanistan. Detailed conversation on the peace process. Also exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation and development partnership," tweeted External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Haneef Atmar is in Delhi on a three-day visit. Interestingly, his visit comes close on the heels of visit of US Defence Secretary lyoyd Austin.
'The Afghanistan situation' did figure prominently in talks between Indian External Affairs Minister and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin
"Afghanistan was addressed in some detail," sources said.
Assessments were exchanged on the peace process and the ground situation, as also the concerns and interests of regional powers and neighbours.
EAM Jaishankar appreciated the Biden Administration’s engagement with India on this issue.
Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have recently visited Japan and South Korea, two important US partners in the region.
Sources said - The steady growth of bilateral cooperation between two countries was well recognized by both. Jaishankar apprised Defence Secretary of the progress and potential of various aspects of the leadership.
Highlighting the commonalities and convergence, EAM said that the relationship was unique for the breadth and intensity of cooperation that covered so many domains.
Defence Secretary Austin said that as the two largest democracies in the world, 'human rights and values' are important to us and we will lead with these values.
It may be pointed out that two global bodies including US-based Freedom House have slammed Indian government.
V-Dem Institute in Sweden had downgraded India’s status from a ‘democracy’ to ‘an electoral autocracy' while another NGO, US-based Freedom House said, "India’s status declined from 'Free' to 'Partly Free' (as a nation) due to a multiyear pattern in which the Hindu nationalist government and its allies have presided over rising violence and discriminatory policies affecting the Muslim population".
EAM agreed and emphasised that a strong relationship between the two democracies was not only important for both countries but for the rest of the world.
2+2 in Trump era: 2018
“India and US are committed to our strategic partnership that is a force for global good," - PM Narendra Modi
New Delhi: India and the United States on Saturday pledged to make 'full potential' utilization of various military and strategic pacts and mechanisms between two nations.
At the crucial meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Secretary of Defence Lloyd J Austin, Quad framework and Indo Pacific figured prominently.
"Cooperation among like minded countries is imperative to securing our shared vision for the future. Despite today's challenging security environment, the partnership between United States and India, world's two largest democracies, remain resilient and strong", Austin said.
Secy Def. Austin on India (link for video)
"We discussed the need for enhanced capacity building to address some of the non-traditional challenges such as oil spills and environment disasters, drug trafficking, Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) fishing, etc," said Rajnath Singh in a statement after the meeting.
" Acknowledging that we have in place the foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA, we discussed steps to be taken to realise their full potential for mutual benefit. I conveyed my appreciation to Secretary Austin for participation of US in Aero India 2021 along with a business delegation".
Austin showed keenness to elevate the U.S.-India major defence partnership especially in information sharing and logistics.
"We discussed opportunities to elevate the U.S.-India major defence partnership, which is a priority of the Biden-Harris administration. And we'll do that through regional security cooperation and military to military interactions and defence trade."
"India, in particular, is an increasingly important partner among today's rapidly shifting international dynamics," Austin said after meeting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Rajnath also invited US industry to take advantage of India’s liberalized foreign direct investment (FDI) policies in the defence sector.
"We both agreed that there are opportunities for collaboration in defence industry," he said.
The recent Leaders’ Summit of India, USA, Japan and Australia under the Quad framework emphasized our resolve to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the Defence Minister said.
The United States designated India as a “Major Defence Partner” in 2016 and both sides have signed a string of deals deepening military cooperation.
The COMCASA or the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement is one of the four foundational agreements between the US and India was inked in September 2018. The agreement facilitates India to use the United States' encrypted communications equipment and systems.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby has said, “The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promote a free and open regional order. Both sides exchanged perspectives on shared challenges confronting the region and committed to further strengthen their broad-ranging and robust defence cooperation".
Notably, Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have visited Japan and South Korea, two other important partners in the region irked by Chinese activities.
This is seen as first 'face-to-face' meeting by a top brass in President Joe Biden's administration with Indian leadership.
US Secretary of Defence called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on
Friday, March 19.
Secretary Austin conveyed greetings of President Joe Biden to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries, which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order, an MEA release said. Prime Minister Modi outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasized the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in India-US ties.
He requested Secretary Austin to convey his best wishes to President Biden. Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S. Government’s continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries.
In a tweet, Secretary Austin wrote: "Thrilled to be here in India. The breadth of cooperation between our two nations reflects the significance of our major defense partnership, as we work together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region".
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