US admin backs fair trade, stronger ties with India in high-level talks

The US administration has underscored the importance of fair and reciprocal market access for fostering economic growth and prosperity in both India and the United States, according to the state department.

Deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau conveyed this to the visiting Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri during their meeting at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters on 28 May.

During the meeting, Landau reaffirmed the close partnership between the , a key component of America’s foreign policy for the 21st century, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

Landau emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration and counternarcotics, Bruce said, adding that the Deputy Secretary and the Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace.

In a social media post, the Indian Embassy here said that the diplomats discussed the full breadth of the India-US bilateral agenda and shared priorities. “They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the leadership’s vision and to strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership,” the Embassy said. This was the first meeting between the two diplomats.

“Discussions at the White House focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, taking forward cooperation in the defence and energy domains, and strengthening the Quad, IMEEC, and I2U2 initiatives,” the Embassy said in another social media post.