Ajit Doval was seen exchanging an elbow with the Secretary of State of the United States, Mike Pompeo.
New Delhi:
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval exchanged elbow blows, skipping the conventional handshake, with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark T Esper in Delhi today, following the rules of social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The South Block meeting lasted 40 minutes before the third edition of the 2 + 2 ministerial dialogue. Esper and Pompeo arrived in India on Monday for the crucial talks aimed at further boosting defense and security ties between the two countries.
Doval was seen exchanging elbows with American leaders; all wore face masks. Pompeo’s mask had the imprint of the American flag.
Ajit Doval and United States Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper elbowed each other.
“They discussed a number of issues and challenges of strategic importance. Both sides highlighted the need to advance shared goals and develop capabilities across all domains to ensure a safe, stable and rules-based global and regional security environment,” said a bureaucrat high level. he told NDTV. Senior officials from both sides were present at the meeting. Indian officials said the two sides also spoke about India’s military clash with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army that has continued for 175 days. The tension reached its peak in June when 20 Indian soldiers died in the line of duty in a clash with the Chinese in the Galwan Valley.
Fist bumps, elbows and the traditional Namaste have emerged as popular forms of greeting among world leaders in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. The United States continues to be the country most affected by the health crisis that affects the world, with more than 4.34 cases of Covid. India ranks second with more than 79.46 cases.
Indian officials said the two sides also spoke about India’s military standoff with China.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar held 2 + 2 talks with their US counterparts, during which the long-awaited Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement or BECA, which gives India access to classified geospatial data, as well as critical information that has important United States military applications.
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