WASHINGTON: Mark Esper, United States Secretary of Defense announced Tuesday that he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit India next week to strengthen the alliance of the two countries in the face of China’s strategic challenge.
“India will be the most important partner for us, in the Indo-Pacific for us for sure, in this century,” Esper said in a speech to the Atlantic Council.
He said his visit is part of a broader American initiative to strengthen older alliances and develop new ones against efforts by Russia and China to build their own global energy grids.
The talks in New Delhi could reportedly cover increased intelligence sharing.
He comes as an Indian and Chinese troops remain at a standstill following clashes in a disputed Himalayan border region.
“It is the largest democracy in the world, a very capable country with very talented people, and they face Chinese aggression in the Himalayas every day,” Esper said of India.
Esper’s comments also followed an announcement by Australia that it will participate in a large-scale military drill off the coast of India next month, the Malabar naval exercise, along with India, the United States and Japan.
Last November, the United States held its first bilateral air, land and sea exercises with India.
In July, the aircraft carrier SUS Nimitz also conducted exercises with the Indian navy.
The two countries also opened a cyber defense dialogue last month, Esper said.
His and Pompeo’s meetings with their Indian counterparts will reflect the need for “much closer collaboration” on the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is building its presence, he said.
“Together these efforts will strengthen what could become one of the most important partnerships of the 21st century.”
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