<p>The United States on Friday reaffirmed its “firm commitment” to India’s leadership in Indo-Pacific – a region where it is trying to build a coalition of democratic nations to contain the hegemonic aspirations of China.</p>.<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to his US counterpart Mark T Esper over phone on Friday; even as American President Donald Trump’s recent offer to mediate between India and China to resolve the boundary dispute got a cold shoulder from New Delhi.</p>.<p>Esper and Singh “discussed a range of regional security issues”, according to a press-release issued by the Department of Defence of the US Government in Washington D.C. It quoted the US Defence Secretary reiterating his “firm commitment” to India’s leadership across the Indo-Pacific.</p>.<p>The press-release issued by the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India in New Delhi too stated that Singh and Esper exchanged views on “regional developments of shared security interest”.</p>.<p>Neither New Delhi nor Washington D.C. however directly referred to India-China border tension or elaborated whether the issue came up for discussion between Defence Minister and his US counterpart.</p>.<p>Esper conveyed to Singh his condolences regarding the recent loss of life in West Bengal due to Cyclone Amphan. They also discussed ongoing cooperation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>.<p>Esper reiterated his support for a strong and enduring US-India defense partnership and the two leaders discussed ways to advance several important bilateral initiatives. They reviewed progress on bilateral defence cooperation arrangements and expressed commitment to further promote India-US defence partnership.</p>
<p>The United States on Friday reaffirmed its “firm commitment” to India’s leadership in Indo-Pacific – a region where it is trying to build a coalition of democratic nations to contain the hegemonic aspirations of China.</p>.<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to his US counterpart Mark T Esper over phone on Friday; even as American President Donald Trump’s recent offer to mediate between India and China to resolve the boundary dispute got a cold shoulder from New Delhi.</p>.<p>Esper and Singh “discussed a range of regional security issues”, according to a press-release issued by the Department of Defence of the US Government in Washington D.C. It quoted the US Defence Secretary reiterating his “firm commitment” to India’s leadership across the Indo-Pacific.</p>.<p>The press-release issued by the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India in New Delhi too stated that Singh and Esper exchanged views on “regional developments of shared security interest”.</p>.<p>Neither New Delhi nor Washington D.C. however directly referred to India-China border tension or elaborated whether the issue came up for discussion between Defence Minister and his US counterpart.</p>.<p>Esper conveyed to Singh his condolences regarding the recent loss of life in West Bengal due to Cyclone Amphan. They also discussed ongoing cooperation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>.<p>Esper reiterated his support for a strong and enduring US-India defense partnership and the two leaders discussed ways to advance several important bilateral initiatives. They reviewed progress on bilateral defence cooperation arrangements and expressed commitment to further promote India-US defence partnership.</p>
