New Delhi, August 16: John Sullivan, the US deputy secretary of state, on Friday met Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi and held discussions related to “deep convergences” of strategic ties shared between the two nations.
In a tweet, Jaishankar wrote: “Glad to receive Deputy Secretary @StateDept John Sullivan. Discussing the deep convergences of our strategic relationship.”
Sullivan is at present venturing on the second leg of his official two-country visit to India and Bhutan from August 11-17 in order to advance the US’ partnership with both the neighbouring nations – critical to preserving laws-based order in the Indo-Pacific part.lli
Besides holding a meeting with Jaishankar, the deputy state secretary was also slated to address the US-India forum, according to ANI news reports.
Sullivan’s visit to New Delhi comes in the midst of heightening tensions following Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s BJP – central government’s decision to scrap Article 370 that offered a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition, the international community has urged both the neighbouring nations – India and Pakistan – to exercise maximum restraint in order to ensure peace and stability in line along the Line of Control (LoC).