US-India reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific

Secretary of State for External Affairs of India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right) and Deputy Secretary of State of the United States at the FOC on March 21 in New Delhi. (Source: News Islands)

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with President Biden in Washington September 2021, India-US has reviewed progress in various areas of the two countries’ relations.

The two sides welcomed dialogue and regular high-level visits, including fruitful meetings of bilateral mechanisms, leading to increased cooperation on all key items on the agenda.

This FOC created an opportunity to discuss current regional issues related to South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, West Asia and the situation in Ukraine, among others.

India’s External Affairs Secretary Shringla and US Deputy Secretary of State Nuland agreed to maintain regular dialogue and consultations on regional issues.

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The representatives of the two countries agreed to work together to strengthen the India-US partnership related to global supply chains, critical technologies, health security, combating climate change, clean energy, and counter-terrorism. .

The two sides noted the close cooperation between the two delegations at the United Nations Security Council, of which India is a non-permanent member, and reiterated their wish to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations. international organizations, including the United Nations.

The US and India both expressed their willingness to participate in the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting, agreeing to hold the next FOC on a convenient date for both sides in Washington.