Steering past back, the United States and India announced on Monday, their bilateral ties are further strengthening with the enhancement in their defense and military ties, where both are focused on a common aim to promote peace process all over the region and the globe.
Brushing aside India’s deal with Russia on S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system, US secretary of defense James Mattis told Indian defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman, “We’ll work everything out, trust me,” while having a warm bilateral meet at the Pentagon.
When India signed $5 billion S-400 deal with Russia, US sanction’s threat had loomed.
Recognizing US President Donald trump’s outreach to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan over a letter seeking their facilitation over peace process in Afghanistan and other nations, Mattis said, “You know, we are looking for every responsible nation to support peace in the subcontinent, and across this war in Afghanistan.”
Referring to 40-year-conflict of Afghan, Mattis said, “Forty years is enough. It’s time for everyone to get on board, support the United Nations, support Prime Minister Narendra Modi, support President Ghani and all those who are trying to maintain peace and make for a better world here.”
Mattis noted US-Indian military partnership are “not defined by brittle or empty words, but by the human aspects of partnership, steeped in recognition of our nations’ respective sacrifices in the cause of peace and friendship in freedom”.
Sitharaman and Mattis, both noted that with this fourth talk over defense relationship, half a century of “cold war” has ended.