India and the US engaged in a 2+2 Ministerial dialogue at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday. During the dialogue, both countries signed a data pact and also inked a landmark defence pact – BECA. In a joint press conference, held after the meeting, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo, referring to the Galwan Valley incident, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed by PLA, said the US will stand with India as they confront threats to their sovereignty.

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“We visited National War Memorial to honour brave men & women of Indian armed forces who sacrificed for the world’s largest democracy, including 20 killed by PLA in Galwan Valley. US will stand with India as they confront threats to their sovereignty, liberty,” news agency ANI quoted Pompeo as saying.

“Our leaders and citizens see with increasing clarity that Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency… I’m glad to say India and US are taking all steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by CCP,” Pompeo also said.

Pompeo added that the US will continue to support India’s permanent membership of the UNSC.

“US values India as a multi-lateral partner, whether it’s through the quad, making Afghan peace negotiation successful or working together during India’s upcoming term on UN security council, we continue to support India’s permanent membership of UNSC,” Pompeo added.

“US and India are taking steps to strengthen our cooperation against all manner of threats and not just those posed by Chinese Communist Party. Last year, we’ve expanded our cooperation on cyber issues, our navies have held joint exercises in Indian ocean,” Pompeo said.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the press conference, said, “Discussions also covered developments in our neighbouring countries. We made clear that cross border terrorism is completely unacceptable.”

“The Indo Pacific region was the particular focus of our talks. We reiterated the importance of stability and peace and prosperity for all countries in this region,” Jaishankar added.

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“Based on our shared values & common interests, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China,” US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper, said.

Rajnath Singh said they also agreed that upholding rules-based international order respecting rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international sea and uploading territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are essential.