Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper held top-level talks in India with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajanth Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the 2-2 dialogue, the United States warned of China’s ‘threats to security’, reported news agency AFP.

The two countries are also due to complete an accord on sharing sensitive data in a new sign of their strengthening strategic ties.

“Today is a new opportunity for two great democracies like ours to grow closer,” AFP quoted Pompeo as saying.

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Pompeo outlined a series of issues of mutual concern that would be discussed.

“Our cooperation on the pandemic that originated in Wuhan, to confronting the Chinese Communist Party’s threats to security and freedom, to promoting peace and stability throughout the region,” he said.

Esper said the United States wanted stronger ties with India — currently involved in a tense border showdown with China — “to meet the challenges of the day and uphold the principles of a free and open Indo-Pacific well into the future.”

Pompeo and Esper had already called for a deeper relationship during one-on-one talks with their Indian counterparts on Monday.

Jaishankar tweeted after his meetings with Pompeo that relations between the emerging allies have “grown substantially”.

An intelligence-sharing accord is also set to be signed by the two countries later Tuesday.

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The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement will allow the United States to share top-secret satellite and sensor data that would help India in targeting its missiles and placing troops.

It will also allow the United States to provide the latest navigational technology on any fighter jets it supplies to India.

Esper has been pressing the case for India to buy US F-18 jets and move away from its reliance on Russian weaponry.

But India wants more of its military equipment made domestically and is demanding greater investment.

Esper and Singh “welcomed the expansion of information-sharing”, a US statement said, while the Indian Defence Ministry reported the two officials had discussed “potential new areas of cooperation”, without giving details.

Relations with China have grown increasingly tense for both the United States and India in recent years.

The United States is in a tense trade battle with China and President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up warnings about Beijing’s growing economic and military power.

India has sought greater international military support since a deadly border showdown with China in June.

At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the clash. China has acknowledged it also suffered casualties but has not provided details.