New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Even as India-US ties touch a new low over Trump’s unilateral Tariffs, the two countries held a virtual US-India 2 2 Intersessional Dialogue and discussed cooperation in several areas including Defence, security, counter-terrorism and civil nuclear energy.
Both sides looked forward to increasing Defence cooperation, including signing a new ten-year Framework for the U.S. India Major Defence Partnership, as well as advancing Defence industrial, science and technology cooperation, operational coordination, regional cooperation and information-sharing, the US State Department said.
External Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur and Defence Ministry Joint Secretary Vishwesh Negi along with Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany P. Morrison and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal co-chaired the Dialogue.
Through the dialogue officials advanced bilateral initiatives, discussed regional security developments and exchanged perspectives on a number of shared strategic priorities, the State Department said.
They also discussed trade and investment, energy security, including strengthening civil-nuclear cooperation, critical minerals exploration, counternarcotics and counterterrorism cooperation and more.
They agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond.
The co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad.
The dialogue concluded with the chairs expressing appreciation for the productive meeting and eagerness to continue enhancing the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship in a manner that benefits the people of the US and India.
