The two countries enjoy close relationships which are rooted in strong democratic traditions and people to people contacts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US stands on a firm foundation of shared principles and common strategic interests.

The Prime Minister said this after his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper who had called on Modi after concluding two plus two ministerial dialogue with their Indian counterparts on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister took to social media to share his thoughts on India-US relations.

“Pleasure meeting @SecPompeo and @EsperDoD. Happy to see tremendous progress made in India-US relations and the results of the third 2+2 dialogue. Our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership stands on a firm foundation of shared principles and common strategic interests,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet.


US Secretary Mike Pompeo’s word

Similarly, US Secretary Mike Pompeo took to his Twitter to appreciate his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. “Warm conversation today with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi. Our close relationship, which is rooted in our vibrant democratic traditions and fostered by the free and open exchange between our peoples, is beneficial for the world,” he said.

“Today’s U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial was a success. The bond between our nations is built on the foundation of a longstanding friendship, partnership, and vibrant democratic traditions. Thank you @DrSJaishankar, @EsperDoD, and @rajnathsingh for yet another successful dialogue,” he said in another tweet.

Strengthening International cooperation

According to the joint statement released post discussion, both sides reaffirmed that closer U.S.-India cooperation will support shared interests in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. They also emphasized that the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation following international law.

Besides, both sides discussed their shared interest in promoting a sovereign, peaceful, united, democratic, inclusive, stable, and secure Afghanistan, including support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Further, the Ministers welcomed the recent convening of the Second Australia-India-Japan-United States Quadrilateral Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on October 6, 2020.

Defense and Security

On the defense and security front, India and the US signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). After signing of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement in 2016 and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement in 2018, signing of BECA was seen as a significant step by the Ministers during the meeting.

“I met Dr Esper yesterday to discuss bilateral defence issues. We continued our discussions on larger regional and global perspective today over the 2+2. Signing of BECA today after signing of LEMOA in 2016 and COMCASA in 2018 is a significant achievement in that direction,” the Defense minister Rajnath Singh said in a tweet.

Both sides shared the assessment of the security situation across the Indo Pacific and reaffirmed commitment to peace and stability. Both sides decided to work together to strengthen engagement, said the Defense Minister.

“We appreciate the visit of @SecPompeo and Secretary @EsperDoD to India. We had a very constructive dialogue and will continue to work together to strengthen our engagement in defense security and other areas,” Rajnath Singh said in a tweet.

“In our meeting, we shared assessment of the security situation across the Indo Pacific. In that process, we reaffirmed our commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity of all countries in this region,” he said in a subsequent tweet.

Singh further noted that both sides agreed to uphold the rules-based international order, respecting the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international sea.

Covid-19 Cooperation

In the third round of the India-US 2+2 Dialogue, both sides also discussed proposed agreements on enhancing health cooperation and the developments in the ongoing Covid-19 cooperation.

During the discussions, the Ministers applauded the cooperation between the United States and India in confronting challenges emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. They reiterated their resolve to strengthen cooperation in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, ventilators, and other essential medical equipment.