AGENCIES / NEW DELHI
The US has appreciated India’s position that the recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir are an internal matter of India.
U.S. Secretary of Defence, Dr. Mark T Esper expressed hope that any issue between India and Pakistan will be resolved bilaterally.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation today with Dr. Esper and congratulated on his appointment as the U.S. Secretary of Defense. During the conversation, Mr Singh raised the issue of cross-border terrorism affecting India and appreciated U.S. support for India’s effort to maintain peace and stability in the region. He said the issues relating to Art 370 are an internal matter of India which are aimed at improving growth and economic development, democracy and prosperity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to an official release, both the Ministers expressed happiness at the significant progress in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen and deepen the relations further. They also exchanged views on a range of issues related to military-to-military cooperation, defence policy, Research and Development cooperation, defence trade, technology and industrial cooperation. Both sides also expressed satisfaction on the first tri-service joint exercise planned for later this year. Mr Singh also invited the U.S. companies to invest in the Indian defence manufacturing sector under the Make in India programme.