(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW DELHI, Oct 25 (KUNA) -- India and the US on Wednesday agreed to enhance cooperation in defence and security in order to respond to increasing regional security threats.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held extensive talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who arrived in New Delhi in the last leg of his five-nation tour that took him to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan respectively, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
"India attaches high priority to its strategic partnership with the US... Our defence engagements have intensified; we are consulting closely on security and counter-terrorism issues; and commencement of US crude oil purchase by India has added a new dimension to our energy partnership," said Swaraj.
Both sides have asserted their position on terrorism and the new US strategy for Afghanistan. "We discussed in detail the issue of terrorism, which has emerged as the foremost security challenge for the entire world.
"We discussed the ways for effective implementation of the new strategy of President Trump on Afghanistan and South Asia so that the strategy achieves its desired goals," the minister added. However, they expressed serious concern over escalation of terrorist violence in Afghanistan.
"We agreed that Pakistan should take immediate steps to dismantle safe havens which have been established there for terrorist groups. We believe that effective action by Pakistan against all terrorist groups without distinction is critical to the success of the new strategy of President Trump," the ministry further stated.
Talks also touched upon security challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region, connectivity, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. "We also reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, over-flight and unimpeded commerce in accordance with international laws in order to achieve a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," Swaraj said.
Both countries also decided to promote industrial partnerships in the defence sector and reviewed "economic partnership, and agreed to work more closely to unlock the immense potential in our bilateral economic cooperation". (end) atk.hb
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