Amid tensions with China, US Defense Minister Mark Esper announced on Tuesday that he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would visit India next week. Esper said that the world’s largest democracy has to face Chinese aggression on the border every day. This will be the third 2 + 2 dialogue between India and America.
The growing interference of China in the Indo-Pacific region may be discussed during this period. The visit of the two US leaders amidst tensions with China in Ladakh will further strengthen the bilateral relations of India-US. During the Atlantic Council, Esper said that India will be the most important partner in the Indo-Pacific for us in this century.
Esper also said during this time that his journey will be to strengthen the old alliances and form new alliances. It is part of the new initiative of the US, in contrast to the efforts of Russian and Chinese to build a global power network. It has been claimed in the reports that during this time talks between the two countries are expected to be on mutual intelligence sharing.
This visit of US ministers is taking place at a time when there are tense situations between India and China in eastern Ladakh. Negotiation efforts are being made to reduce stress. Esper also said that India is the world’s largest democratic country of talented people, which has to face China’s aggressive attitude on the Himalayas.
Esper also talked about a shared military exercise in Malabar during this time. In this, this military exercise is to be held between India, America and Japan next month. In November last year, the United States completed the first bilateral air, land and sea military drill with India.Esper said that there will be talks on China’s challenge and mutual cooperation between the two countries.
