The visit comes despite President Trump being caught up in internal political battles and the two cabinet directors falling out of favor with the fickle president, pointing to the survival of a strong institutional framework in Washington. Trump has complained about both in recent weeks because they apparently do not serve his internal political purpose, but both officials have quietly gone about their business.
“I look forward to my next trip to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, for productive conversations with our friends and partners, and the 2 + 2 Ministerial Dialogue between the United States and India,” Pompeo said on Tuesday, confirming the highest talks. level between the two sides on October 26, exactly eight months after Trump visited India to meet with Prime Minister Modi, even as the coronavirus was spreading around the world. That was Trump’s last trip outside of the United States.
For his part, Esper told a Washington think tank on Tuesday that “India will undoubtedly be the most important partner for us in the Indo-Pacific this century.”
“Last year, we conducted our first three-service military exercise, Tiger Triumph, with India. And in July, the USS Nimitz conducted a combined exercise with the Indian Navy while transiting the Indian Ocean. We also celebrated our first exercise Cyber Defense Dialogue between the United States and India in September as we expand our collaboration to new domains. Together, these efforts will strengthen what may become one of the most important partnerships of the 21st century, “Esper said in a webinar of the Atlantic Council.
The executive push to further strengthen ties with India amid relentless pressure from China was backed by the legislative sinew of a bipartisan group of senators, who wield foreign policy influence, and welcome India’s opening to Australia. and Japan as part of US-inspired measures to counter Beijing.
“China has opportunistically sought to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific. the South China Sea to the Himalayas, Beijing continues to use methods of intimidation and territorial aggression to test the resolve of regional actors, “the senators said in a letter to the Indian ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, adding:” In response To these evil actions, the United States has signaled its increased commitment to the region with the recently proposed Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which will complement the Asia Tranquility Initiative Act (ARIA) to provide a stronger military presence. ”
However, without coordinated efforts between committed and capable partners, solitary actions will not sufficiently address these ever-evolving security challenges, the senators wrote, while celebrating Australia’s inclusion in the Malabar naval exercise, marking the first The United States, India, Japan and Australia will collectively participate at the military level since the formation of the Quad and the Quad-plus-Singapore naval exercises in September 2007.
“From an operational perspective, bringing such a staunch and capable partner into this naval exercise is invaluable, as it provides greater interoperability, strengthens threat assessment capabilities and enhances the maritime missions and functions of the four naval powers, “they said. He said.
Headed by Republican Senator David Perdue, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the letter was signed among others by Senators Marsha Blackburn, Chris Coons, John Cornyn, Kevin Cramer, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, James Lankford, Kelly Loeffler, Martha McSally, Marco Rubio, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis, and Mark Warner.
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