Friday, March 29, 2024

Pompeo calls out China as US-India sign landmark BECA pact





 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is in India for the third edition of India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, on Tuesday sent out a message to China while assuring New Delhi of full support from Washington as it deals with the threat on its border.

Addressing a joint press briefing with US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, minced no words in saying that the ruling Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law and transparency.

“Our leaders and citizens see with increasing clarity that the Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency…  I’m glad to say India and the US are taking all steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by the CCP,” said Pompeo.

India and the United States are having the third edition of India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi presently.

Pompeo also mentioned the Galwan clash in which India lost 20 soldiers.

“We visited the National War Memorial to honour brave men and women of Indian armed forces who sacrificed for the world’s largest democracy, including 20 killed by PLA in Galwan Valley.”

Pompeo said the United States values India as a multilateral partner. “Whether it is through the QUAD, making Afghan peace negotiation successful or working together during India’s upcoming term on the UN Security Council, we continue to support India’s permanent membership of the UNSC.”

Earlier, during the 2+2 talks here, India and the United States signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). BECA is a landmark defence pact which provides for sharing of high-end military technology, geospatial maps and classified satellite data between the militaries of the two countries.

India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh mentioned BECA as a significant move.

“We held a comprehensive discussion on a range of key issues. We reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The inking of BECA with the US a significant move,” he said.

Foreign minister S. Jaishankar also stressed on the need to have peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Indo Pacific region was the particular focus of our talks. We reiterated the importance of stability and peace and prosperity for all countries in this region. Discussions also covered developments in our neighbouring countries. We made clear that cross-border terrorism is completely unacceptable,” he said.

Pompeo and Esper also called on prime minister Narendra Modi earlier today. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign minister S. Jaishankar, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present in the meeting.

 


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