Tillerson in India: Terrorism Threatening Stability of Pak Govt
Strengthening cooperation in areas of defence, and security to feature in the talks between Swaraj and Tillerson.
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US Secretary of State will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today.
Strengthening cooperation in strategic areas of defence, counter-terrorism, security, energy and trade is an expected outcome during the meeting between Swaraj and Tillerson. Tillerson also asserted that America's relationship with India is of strategic importance, which is not limited to South Asia.
Before setting out for India, Tillerson met Pakistani PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other top leaders in Pakistan, where he urged them to step up their efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country.
- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reached India on 24 October
- He met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and PM Narendra Modi today
- Strengthening cooperation in areas of defence, and security was discussed between Swaraj and Tillerson in the meeting
Tillerson Meets Modi
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ongoing visit to India.
PM Modi reportedly shared resolve expressed by Secretary Tillerson on taking steps towards “accelerating and strengthening content, pace and scope of bilateral engagement”. The also affirmed that India-US partnership is not just for mutual benefit but also impacted global stability.
US-India Stand Shoulder to Shoulder Against Terror: Rex Tillerson
“India and USA are natural allies. Stand shoulder to shoulder against terror,” US Secy of State said warning that “terrorist safe havens will not be tolerated.”
While he said that terror groups in Pakistan is threatening the stability of the government, Tillerson also said, “I had a very open frank exchange with Pakistan leaders in Islamabad yesterday, I conveyed to Pakistan the expectations we have of them. We want to work with Pakistan in a positive way as we think this is in their interest in longer term.”
Pakistan Needs to Act on Tackling Terror: Sushma Swaraj
“I am happy to inform that our defence and strategic relations have deepened after PM's US visit,” Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj said.
“The recent attacks in Afghanistan are proof that safe havens and supporters of terrorism are active. Pakistan needs to act on this. President Trump's policy on terrorism can only succeed when Pakistan takes action on terror groups,” she said.
Rex Tillerson Meets Sushma Swaraj
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has met Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
They two are currently holding a meeting together. The two sides are expected to talk about terror.
Tillerson's Itinerary for 25 October
- 11:30 am: Meets Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj
- 12:45 pm: Press interaction
- 4.30 pm: Calls on Prime Minister Narendra Modi
US Secretary of State Reaches India
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday night from Pakistan and will hold talks with the Indian leadership today to discuss further strengthening of Indo-US strategic partnership in key areas, and collaboration on security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Tillerson is the second high-ranking official of the Trump Administration to visit India in the last two months.
Ahead of Tillerson's three-day visit, the External Affairs Ministry had said that there will be detailed discussions on further strengthening of Indo-US partnership.
Strengthening cooperation in strategic areas of defence, counter terrorism, security, energy and trade are expected to figure during the meeting between Swaraj and Tillerson.
India Can Play a Pivotal Role in Creating Peaceful Afghanistan: Tillerson
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Monday, said the Trump administration was of the view that India can play a positive role in creating a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
He also asserted that America's relationship with India is of strategic importance which is not limited to South Asia.
In a major India-policy speech, Tillerson said last week that the US is India's "reliable partner" at the world stage in this period of uncertainty and angst.
He also referred to the rise of China, saying its behaviour and actions were "posing a challenge to the rules-based international order".
"China, while rising alongside India, has done so less responsibly, at times undermining the international, rules-based order – even as countries like India operate within a framework that protects other nations' sovereignty," he had told a Washington audience ahead of his maiden visit to India.
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