The India-US relationship is at a "historic peak" now, representing a crucial relationship of the 21st century, according to a top official in the Trump administration as both countries reaffirmed their "shared aspiration" to maintain regional peace and stability.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said this after meeting India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday in Washington, DC. Misri is on a three-day official US visit.
The Indian Embassy in Washington termed their meeting as a "great first meeting" in a post on X, adding they covered the entire range of the bilateral agenda and mutual priorities.
In his own X message, Landau said he had a "great lunch" with Misri, during which they spoke about the US-India partnership, which he said is at a "historic zenith" and critical to this century.
He also said their conversations included growing fair and balanced trade, addressing illegal immigration, and building counternarcotics efforts.
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce issued a statement noting Landau's reaffirming of the robust US-India relationship, terming it as a cornerstone of US foreign policy.
Bruce said that both officials reaffirmed their mutual commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Landau further underscored the imperative of fair market access to foster economic growth and prosperity in the two nations.
The two countries mutually agreed that technology, trade, and talent will be key drivers of the India-US partnership in the future, said the Indian Embassy.
They also reaffirmed advancing leadership visions and strengthening the broad global strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Embassy further added that Misri headed the Indian side, with Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor, in inter-agency talks on the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce, and Technology).
Andy Baker, Vice President JD Vance's National Security Adviser and incoming Deputy National Security Adviser, headed the US side, along with Counsellor Michael Needham.
The White House discussions centered on introducing the TRUST (Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) program, promoting cooperation in defence and energy, and enhancing multilateral efforts like the Quad, IMEEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor), and I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and US).
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi confirmed that Misri’s visit from May 27 to 29 included meetings with senior US officials and described it as a follow-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in February 2025, during which the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century was launched.
Misri had a meeting with US Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler on Tuesday to advance cooperation on emerging and key technologies, the Indian Embassy further added.
They also touched on proposals for an early meeting of the India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue to enhance partnership in technology and trade.
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