New York sources have stated that US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will visit India and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman to reaffirm that Washington considers New Delhi a valued and influential ally. This is the first cabinet-level official's visit to India under the Trump administration.
The Pentagon said in a statement that "The secretary will emphasize that the United States views India as a valued and influential partner, with broad mutual interests extending well beyond South Asia," During his two day visit starting from September 26, the Pentagon chief will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the India Gate, and meet the prime minister and Sitharaman in New Delhi.
Moreover Mattis' visit to India comes after
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, held a bilateral meeting with External
Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the sidelines of the annual UN General
Assembly meeting here. During the meeting, the two leaders among other issues
discussed Pakistan, Afghanistan and terrorism. They also discussed the
strategic relationship between Washington and New Delhi.
