Vinay Kwatra, the Foreign Secretary, is currently in the United States for a series of meetings with high-ranking officials from the US Government and discussions with industry leaders. The aim is to bolster collaboration between the two nations, particularly in sectors such as defense and technology. Kwatra met separately with Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, and Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State, at the State Department's headquarters in Foggy Bottom.
Verma expressed satisfaction with the discussions, highlighting the importance of close cooperation between the US and India for regional security and prosperity. Kwatra also participated in a breakfast meeting hosted by the US India Business Council, where topics like investment, innovation, and commercial ties were on the agenda.
Throughout his visit, Kwatra is engaging with officials from various branches of the US Government, including the Department of Defense, the White House, and the Department of Commerce. Despite occurring during India's general elections and amidst busy diplomatic activities in Washington DC, this visit has not garnered significant media attention.
In related news, US President Joe Biden recently hosted a historic trilateral summit with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This summit is particularly notable given China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Official State Visit to the White House, which saw some tensions arise, notably regarding the Sikh separatist movement and comments by the State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Despite these challenges, the Department of Defense reaffirmed the importance of the US-India partnership, emphasizing ongoing cooperation and shared values in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the beginning of a new chapter in US-India relations, particularly through the Major Defense Partnership initiative. Joint exercises and information-sharing between the two militaries aim to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean, contributing to a more stable regional balance of power.
Austin underscored the commitment to strengthening the US-India partnership to support broader alliances, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Australia, Japan, and the United States.
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