New Delhi, June 26: US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who is on an official three-day visit to India, has on Wednesday met with Indian minister of external affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar and Ajit Doval, the national security advisor (NSA) in New Delhi.
According to ANI news reports, Doval received Pompeo personally outside South Block, whereas Jaishankar is slated to host launch for him.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took it to Twitter, along with a picture of the two leaders shaking their hands, and said, “Welcoming a close friend. Continuing the emphasis on high-level Indo-US exchanges, EAM @DrSJaishankar warm-heartedly welcomed @SecPompeo as the first US dignitary visiting India after elections. @SecPompeo is the first Foreign Minister to be hosted by EAM.”
Welcoming a close friend.
Continuing the emphasis on high-level Indo-US exchanges, EAM @DrSJaishankar warm-heartedly welcomed @SecPompeo as the first US dignitary visiting India after elections. @SecPompeo is the first Foreign Minister to be hosted by EAM. pic.twitter.com/8jk7Pf3LzY
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 26, 2019
Earlier the day, Pompeo and Jaishankar’s meeting was being seen as an opportunity for both sides to know each other better. The two are expected to set a stage for a summit between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit going to be held in Osaka, Japan.
The state secretary’s visit to India comes in a backdrop of rising tensions between Iran and the US, as well as, trade differences between Washington and New Delhi.
Jaishankar was on trade issues b/w India & USA ahead of US Secy of State’s visit. Jaishankar said, “There’ll be talks on trade issues definitely, we’ve our interests & US have their own, sometimes they converge & sometimes they don’t. Diplomacy is about finding common ground on these interests.”
Also read: Mike Pompeo in India to meet PM Modi, MEA Jaishankar ahead of Trump-Modi meet at G20