New Delhi: US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and Secretary of Defence, Dr Mark Esper, arrived India on a crucial leg of Asia trip for five days amid Washington’s intent to checkmate growing Chinese influence in the region.
Pompeo is also set to visit Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia – the three nations wherein China has over the years invested heavily and enhanced its influence.
“Wheels up for my trip to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with our partners to promote a shared vision for a free and open Indo Pacific composed of independent, strong, and prosperous nations,” Pompeo had tweeted just around the time he left the American shore for the visit.
The world’s two biggest democracies India and the US, analysts say, are likely to ink a fresh pact on sharing intelligence. This could pave the way for the US to ship sophisticated missile technology.
It is also presumed that Secretary of Defence Esper will also be discussing ways to increase defence sales and cooperation between the two countries’ military forces.
The arms sales talks could cover US F-18 fighter jets too.
The two visiting dignitaries will be holding the third ‘2 plus 2’ dialogues with their Indian counterparts Dr S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, October 27. Pompeo and Esper will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NSA Ajit Doval is also likely to meet the two top strategists and policy makers in the Trump administration.
Pompeo had recently made his intent clear and said his deliberations with Indian and other South Asian leaders could “include discussions on how free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party”.
The trip by Pompeop and Dr Esper is part of the latest US efforts to bolster ‘allies’ against China, which has been in border disputes with India lately and also allegedly keen to make military inroads in other parts of the region.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held separate delegation level talks with the US Secretary of Defence, Dr Esper.
In a missive in the micro blogging site, Defence Minister wrote: “India is delighted to host the US Secretary of Defence, Dr Mark Esper. Our talks today were fruitful, aimed at further deepening defence cooperation in a wide range of areas”.
“Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-US defence relations and mutual cooperation,” Rajnath said.
Dr Jaishankar also met Secretary of State Pompeo. “Pleased to welcome Secretary of State Pompeo.Taking our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward,” he tweeted.
Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla welcomed US Under Secretary of State, Brian Bulatao, who is part of the visiting US delegation for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
The inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was hosted jointly in September 2018 by Late Sushma Swaraj (EAM) and Nirmala Sitharaman (Defence Minister) and was described as “very productive” by PM Modi.
The 2-Plus-2 event and other diplomatic engagements will be conducted in a COVID compliant format keeping in view the need for adequate social distancing.
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