U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on October 25 met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Mr. Tillerson arrived from Pakistan and started the day by meeting National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. He also laid a wreath at Raj Ghat. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here are the updates:
Rex Tillerson's said:
"India and USA are natural allies. Stand shoulder to shoulder against terror.
''India and the U.S. continue to benefit from strong economic bonds. India is crucial to USA-Afghanistan strategy, back India as a leader in the region.
''Terrorist safe havens will not be tolerated. 'Too many terror groups find safe haven in Pakistan which is now threatening stability of the Pakistan government."
Sushma Swaraj in her remarks said:
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her joint press conference with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on October 25, 2017. Photo courtesy: DDNews
''India and the U.S. discussed that no country in the world should provide safe heavens to terror groups. Any country backing terrorism must be made responsible; the U.S.’ South Asia policy can succeed only when Pakistan acts on terror groups.
"I am happy to inform that our defence and strategic relations have deepened after PM Modi's US visit.. Recent attacks in Afghanistan are proof that safe havens and supporters of terrorism are active. Pakistan needs to act on this.
''The important contribution of Indians working in the USA on H-1B visa has been pointed out''.
Ahead of Mr. Tillerson’s three-day visit, the External Affairs Ministry had said that there will be detailed discussions on further strengthening India-U.S. partnership.
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in Washington last week, Mr. Tillerson would meet with senior Indian leaders to “discuss further strengthening of our strategic partnership and collaboration on security and prosperity” in the Indo-Pacific region.
‘Pakistan must increase efforts to eradicate terrorists’
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives to Pakistan's Nur Khan military airbase in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday.
On October 24, Mr. Tillerson bluntly told Pakistan’s top leadership that it must increase efforts to eradicate terrorists operating within the country. Mr. Tillerson arrived in Islamabad on a whirlwind visit to reset bilateral ties, strained after President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorist groups.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Tillerson discussed the bilateral cooperation and partnership, expanding the economic ties and Pakistan’s critical role in the region.
Mr. Abbasi chaired an inter-agency meeting attended by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence Khurram Dastigir Khan, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, ISI chief Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar and other officials.
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad said Mr. Tillerson reiterated President Trump’s message that “Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country”.
Surprise visit to Afghanistan
During his surprise visit to Afghanistan on October 24, Mr. Tillerson said the Trump administration was of the view that India could play a positive role in creating a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. He also asserted that America’s relationship with India was of strategic importance and was not limited to South Asia.
In a major India-policy speech , Mr. Tillerson said last week that the U.S. was India’s “reliable partner” at the world stage in this period of uncertainty and angst. He also referred to the rise of China, saying its behaviour and action were “posing a challenge to the rules-based international order“.
Mr. Tillerson’s visit also comes at a time when the Trump administration is “considering” India’s request for armed drones for its air force.
Earlier in 2017, the IAF had requested the U.S. government for General Atomics Predator C Avenger aircraft. It is understood that the IAF would need 80 to 100 units, making it approximately a whopping $8 billion deal.
