Power Games in South China Sea
While speaking at the annual Shangri La Dialogue, General Mattis quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he put forth his point on freedom of navigation in the South China sea.
We recognise India as a strategic partnership and its role in stabilising the region.
Describing India as a key piece in the “jigsaw puzzle” for the US, top American think tank Atlantic Council urged the Trump administration to prioritise its ties with India.
Given the advancement China has made both economically and militarily, the US will need to channel considerable resources to assert its global and regional primacy… To accomplish this, India remains a key piece in the jigsaw for the US President Trump will need to assure India that it is not merely a regional prop to balance Beijing’s power in the region, but a top priority for US foreign policy under the Trump administration.Atlantic Council
US Defence Secretary James Mattis arrived in New Delhi to hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.
During Mattis’s visit, India made it clear to the US that it won't deploy troops in war-torn Afghanistan even as New Delhi and Washington pledged to eradicate the "scourge" of terrorism and to hold to account those who use it as an instrument of state policy, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
Sitharaman said both India and the US had suffered losses due to terrorism and "one aspect of this is universally shared by all responsible nations that there shall be no safe havens for terror". She urged the US Defence Secretary to "speak out and raise this issue" on his next visit to Pakistan.
- US Defence Secretary James Mattis arrived in India on 25 September
- This is the Trump administration’s first high-level visit to India
- Mattis met his counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman and PM Modi during his visit
- He lauded India’s efforts in Afghanistan, while Sitharaman lauded the US’ new Afghan strategy
- The two countries reaffirmed commitment to combating terrorism during his visit
- India and the US also discussed maritime security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region
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James Mattis Calls on PM Narendra Modi
India and the US on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to combat the global scourge of terrorism when visiting US Defense Secretary James Mattis called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 26 September.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Address After Meeting With James Mattis
Reaffirming US’ stance, General Mattis said terror havens should not be tolerated and “as global leaders, India and the US resolve to work together to eradicate this scourge.”
We value India’s invaluable contribution to Afghanistan and welcome further efforts to promote Afghanistan’s democracy,safety and security. We appreciate India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean and seek to work together to build a resilient regional architecture.General James Mattis, US Defence Secretary
Addressing the press conference after the delegation-level meeting, Sitharaman said, “India will expand development activities, but there will be no boots on the ground in Afghanistan.”
India-US share strong and vibrant strategic partnership as world’s largest democracies also share similar fundamental values and interests. Cooperation in defence equipment grew steadily over past years. US is now a leading state-of-the art defence equipment supplier to India.Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister
Speaking about terrorism, Sitharaman resounded the similar sentiments as Mattis’. She said:
We both recognise the importance of holding those who use terror as state policy to account and to dismantle infra that supports terrorism.
Delegation-Level Talks Begin
Delegation-level talks between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Defence Secretary James Mattis begins.