NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Nikki Haley discussed ways to enhance India-US cooperation in various fields, including counter-terrorism.
Haley, who is on a visit to India, also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and discussed ways to deepen the Indo-US strategic partnership and the ongoing cooperation between the two countries at the UN.
During her call on with the prime minister, Haley noted the deepening relations between India and the US, particularly in the strategic and defence sectors.
“Both the dignitaries discussed ways to enhance India-US cooperation, including on counter-terrorism and in multilateral fora.
“They expressed confidence that strong India-US partnership will continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Haley, whose parents emigrated from Punjab, is on her first visit to India after being appointed as ambassador to the UN.
Early Wednesday, accompanied by US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and other senior embassy officials, she visited Humayun’s tomb in Delhi.
“Humayun’s tomb is a reminder of how much we value culture and how much India values culture.
“It makes my heart happy to be back in India, it is as beautiful as I remember it to be. Its always good to be back home. My parents said I was crazy to come at this time of the year because it is so hot. But, I will tell you that the heat is worth it to be back in India,” she said.
“We see those opportunities between the US and India in a multiple level of ways whether in counter terrorism, whether it is the fact that we want to continue democratic opportunities, whether it is a fact that we want to start to work together more strongly in military aspects.”
The US conveyed to India that it has postponed the ‘2+2 Dialogue’, scheduled to be held next week in Washington, due to “unavoidable reasons”. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were to travel to the US to take part in the meeting with their US counterparts on July 6.
“US @SecPompeo spoke to shmaSwaraj a short while ago to express his regret and deep disappointment at the US having to postpone the 2+2 Dialogue for unavoidable reasons,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. A new mutually convenient date for the dialogue will be announced soon.
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