*WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, while en route forIndia after Pakistan visit, that India is a “true strategic partner” and“very important to our success in our Indo-Pacific strategy”.*
US President Donald Trump’s top two envoys are landing in India today.
The “2+2” meeting in New Delhi of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo andDefense Secretary Jim Mattis with counterparts Sushma Swaraj and NirmalaSitharaman is the first of its kind, reported the AFP.Pompeo’s visit, along with the U.S. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff,was the first high-level U.S. mission to the new government. It aimed tosmooth over tensions after President Donald Trump took a tough new linetowards Pakistan over longstanding accusations it is not doing enough toroot out Afghan Taliban fighters on its territory.Pompeo met new PakistaniPrime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday, saying he was hopeful of “a resetof relations” long strained over the war in Afghanistan.
“We talked about their new government, the opportunity to reset therelationship between our two countries across a broad spectrum,” includingbusiness ties and ending the war in Afghanistan, Pompeo told reportersbefore leaving for India.
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“And I’m hopeful that the foundation that we laid today will set theconditions for continued success as we start to move forward.”
India and the US are also close to signing an agreement that would ensurecommunications between their two militaries are compatible and secure.
