Sitharaman, Mattis Agree Defense Cooperation 'Key Driver' Of India-US Relations -Statement

Sitharaman, Mattis Agree Defense Cooperation 'Key Driver' of India-US Relations -Statement

Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Defense Secretary James Mattis have agreed at a bilateral meeting that cooperation on defense is "a key driver" of the two countries' strategic partnership, the Indian Defense Ministry said Thursday in a press release.

NEW DELHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 06th September, 2018) Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Defense Secretary James Mattis have agreed at a bilateral meeting that cooperation on defense is "a key driver" of the two countries' strategic partnership, the Indian Defense Ministry said Thursday in a press release.

Earlier on Thursday, India and the United States launched the talks in the 2+2 format, including defense and foreign affairs chiefs. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for a bilateral meeting.

"As Secretary Mattis and I agreed during our brief interaction this morning, defence cooperation has one of the most significant dimensions of our relationship. It is now a key driver of our strategic partnership," Sitharaman said as quoted in the ministry's statement.

The Indian defense minister added that India had "introduced major reforms to promote defence manufacturing in India including the establishment of defence manufacturing corridor" and invited US companies to participate.