John Kerry's Visit As India, US Seal Big Defence Deal: 10 Facts
NEW DELHI: It wasn't exactly a dream landing for US Secretary of State John Kerry, who spent an hour last night stuck in the traffic jams that paralysed Delhi after heavy rain, prompting frustrated tweets from his travelling press pack. But now, it's all business.
Here's what Mr Kerry will cover over the next two days in Delhi:
1. He will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow to discuss ambitious plans to hike trade between India and the US five-fold to around $500 billion.
2. Mr Kerry is tasked with furthering the "strategic and commercial dialogue" launched by US President Barack Obama and PM Narendra Modi last year.
3. He met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj today and is scheduled to meet Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the evening.
4. The talks come one day after the two countries signed an agreement in Washington that allows access to each other's military bases for repairs and resupplies.
5. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his counterpart US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter sealed the agreement in efforts to strengthen defence ties to counter concerns over China's growing military assertiveness.
6. Mr Carter said the agreement would make joint operations between their militaries logistically easier and more efficient, while praising the strength of their overall relationship.
7. Defence Minister Parrikar has stressed that the new agreement does not allow for US bases to be set up on Indian soil nor for troops to be stationed in the country.
8. Mr Kerry, who is on his fourth visit to India, will take questions from students at IIT-Delhi tomorrow.
9. India will also make a strong push for more US help in securing membership to the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG, a group of 48 countries.
10. Earlier this year, the US led an initiative for India to gain admission to the bloc that trades in sophisticated nuclear material and technology, but China fronted a group of countries who blocked India's membership. The US has promised to push India's bid at "the highest levels" before the next NSG meeting later this year.
(Source : ndtv.com)
Post A Comment
No comments :