With an effort to enhance the bilateral ties, US National Security Adviser (NSA) HR McMaster on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. McMaster also held talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.
Apart from this, he is expected to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj later in the day.
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According to informed sources, the two sides are expected to discuss bilateral issues as well as the developments in the region against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s continued support to terrorists operating against India and Afghanistan.
On whether the Kashmir issue could also come up, sources said India’s position on it was very clear that it was a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan and there was no room for mediation by a third party.
This is General Mcmaster’s first high-level visit from the US to India under the Donald Trump administration.
Earlier in January this year, in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump had said that the US considers India a true friend and partner in addressing challenges around the world.
McMaster on Monday held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan NSA Lt Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi.