Mike Pompeo calls India a true strategic partner
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*WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, while en route for India 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 and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis with counterparts Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman 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 to smooth over tensions after President Donald Trump took a tough new line towards Pakistan over longstanding accusations it is not doing enough to root out Afghan Taliban fighters on its territory.Pompeo met new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday, saying he was hopeful of “a reset of relations” long strained over the war in Afghanistan.
“We talked about their new government, the opportunity to reset the relationship between our two countries across a broad spectrum,” including business ties and ending the war in Afghanistan, Pompeo told reporters before leaving for India.
“And I’m hopeful that the foundation that we laid today will set the conditions for continued success as we start to move forward.”
India and the US are also close to signing an agreement that would ensure communications between their two militaries are compatible and secure.