US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 27 October, on a day when India and the United States signed the Indo-US Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) agreement during the ‘2+2’ ministerial-level talks between the two countries.
The US officials met the prime minister after the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue was held on Tuesday.
A press release issued on Tuesday said that the secretaries briefed PM Modi on their bilateral meetings and the “fruitful and productive third India-US 2+2 dialogue held earlier today”.
It further stated that the officials “conveyed the US government’s continued interest in building stronger relations with India and working together to realise the shared vision and goals.”
Post the meeting, PM Modi took to Twitter to say that he was happy “to see tremendous progress made in India-US relations and the results of the third 2+2 dialogue.”
A statement from Cale Brown, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson said that Pompeo and PM Modi discussed several issues of regional and global concern on which US and India collaborate, including the response towards COVID-19, security and defence cooperation, as well as shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to ANI.
“The Secretary and the Prime Minister pledged to further strengthen the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership to better ensure the security and prosperity of both countries, the Indo-Pacific region and the world,” the statement further read.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US Ambassador to India Ken Juster were also present during the meeting with PM Modi.
Speaking after the dialogue, Esper said that the US stood shoulder-to-shoulder in support with India, in the light of “increasing aggression” by China.
“Based on our shared values and common interests, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China,” Esper said after the two countries signed the crucial BECA.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, too, said that his country will stand with India.
“We visited National War Memorial to honour brave men and women of Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed for the world's largest democracy – including 20 killed by PLA in Galwan Valley. US will stand with India as they confront threats to their sovereignty, liberty,” Pompeo added.
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