Middle East air travel hit hard as airlines avoid region after US strikes on Iran
Air travel across the Middle East continues to face major disruptions after the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.
US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis on Tuesday arrived in India for his two-day visit that is expected to boost Indo-US defence ties, officials said.
With security situation in the South Asian region including Afghanistan and terrorism, and high ticket defence deals on top of the agenda, Mattis will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of his visit that will conclude on 28 September.
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This is the first Cabinet-level visit to India under the Trump administration and would also be the first major interaction for Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with a foreign counterpart after taking charge of the crucial portfolio.
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Mattis will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at India Gate, meet Sitharaman, followed by PM Modi.
His visit comes after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York last week on how their two countries can jointly fight terrorism and promote security in the Indo-Pacific region.
This follows President Donald Trump’s announcement last month that strategic partnership with India would be “a critical part of the South Asia strategy for America,” placing those issues high on the bilateral agenda.
The two “discussed regional issues, with a focus of Pakistan, Afghanistan and terrorism” and “reviewed all aspects all the bilateral relationship, including expanding our trade and investment relations.”
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