Jaishankar, Pompeo hold talks at Quad meet in Tokyo with focus on Indo-Pacific

at 7:31 pm

New Delhi (NVI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of Quad meeting in Tokyo and discussed bilateral ties along with efforts in direction of a free and open Indo-Pacific that has witnessed China’s growing assertiveness recently.

Both the leaders attended the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan today.

“Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar on the margins of the United States-India-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral Consultations. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation on topics of international concern,” the US State Department said in an official release.

“They reaffirmed the strength of the United States-India relationship, reviewed our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and asserted the need to work together to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe,” said Cale Brown, Principal Deputy Spokesperson.

Brown said that Pompeo and Jaishankar agreed to continue close cooperation on a full range of regional and international issues and look forward to the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year.

Earlier today, EAM Jaishankar tweeted: “Began my Tokyo visit with a bilateral meeting with @SecPompeo. Pleased to see the progress of our partnership in so many fields. Will work together for stability and prosperity in the Indo- Pacific.”

The EAM also called on new Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga along with other Quad Foreign Ministers.

-ARK

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