Bond with India ‘unbreakable’, says US as Mike Pompeo arrives

Washington: On Tuesday night, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in New Delhi and the state department issued a note that described India and the United States as “natural strategic partners” that shared an “unbreakable” bond. The note, however, acknowledged trade differences.

The note read: “As vibrant democracies rooted in shared values, with fast-growing economies, cultures of entrepreneurship, and leadership positions on the global stage, the United States and India are natural strategic partners.”

The state department document tracked the growing ties, noting that both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are “firmly committed to accelerating the upward trajectory of this partnership”.

The statement stated that “the bond between the United States and India is unbreakable”. It was in reference with the presence of 4 million-strong community of Indian Americans, the growing number of Indians studying in the US and the bipartisan support for ties in the US.

It also mentioned elevating strategic dialogue to the 2+2 level, with the next meeting to be held in Washington DC late 2019, granting India the status of Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 status.

“The Trump Administration is working to ensure that American companies operating in India have the same level playing field that Indian companies enjoy in the United States,” it said in reference to ongoing US pressure on India for more market access.

It added: “There is enormous potential to grow our trade relationship and create the high-quality jobs that Prime Minister Modi wants if India lowers trade barriers and embraces fair and reciprocal trade.”

After a stopover in Afghanistan, Pompeo reached New Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning. He is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over a working lunch on Wednesday. He will meet business leaders later and deliver a speech at the India International Centre.