WASHINGTON, DC - Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra recently concluded a productive visit to Washington, DC, from April 10-12, further cementing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The visit included in-depth discussions with key US officials across various departments.
During his time in Washington, Foreign Secretary Kwatra met with his counterparts at the State Department, Deputy Secretary Richard Verma and Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell. US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell highlighted the strong Indo-Pacific partnership, stating, "Delighted to welcome my great friend Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra back to Washington for discussions on US-India cooperation and the Quad. Our partnership in the Indo-Pacific is closer than ever."
The Foreign Secretary also engaged in strategic discussions with senior officials at the National Security Council, Department of Defence, Department of Commerce, and Department of Energy. Talks covered a broad spectrum, including strengthening defense and commercial ties, enhancing supply chain resilience, and addressing contemporary regional developments.
Defense Partnership a Key Focus
A significant portion of the visit focused on the India-US Major Defence Partnership. At the Pentagon, Foreign Secretary Kwatra met with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. They underscored the growing momentum within the partnership and efforts to advance the co-production of fighter jet engines and armored vehicles."Today, I met with Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra to take stock of the historic major defense partnership between our countries. We're continuing to expand our partnership in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," Hicks stated.
Both officials emphasized the importance of expanding military engagements to strengthen cooperation across all domains, while working together to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The Foreign Secretary's visit reflects the ongoing high-level exchanges between India and the US. He also met with representatives of leading think tanks and chambers of commerce, indicating a desire to advance the countries' multifaceted and future-oriented partnership.This productive visit highlights the robust nature of the India-US relationship and the commitment of both nations to collaborate on strategic issues in areas of defense, trade, and regional security.
