India will go by its national interest: Jaishankar to Pompeo

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today conveyed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that India will go by its national interest while dealing with other countries, including with sanctions-hit Russia.

New Delhi is procuring S-400 missile defence system from Russia. The two had an extensive bilateral meeting this afternoon in New Delhi.

Replying to a media query on the issue of sanctions under the US' Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act which may also impact India's procurement of the S400 system from Moscow, Dr Jaishankar said India has relationships with several countries.

In a joint press interaction, Mr Pompeo said India is an important partner of the US and that the bilateral ties are reaching new heights.

Saying India-US have a strategic partnership based on deep and broad convergence, Dr Jaishankar said, discussions with Pompeo were held on key issues including energy and trade as well as on the situation in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific region.

He expressed appreciation for the strong support of Trump administration on the issue of terrorism.

Dr Jaishankar said, US Secretary of State shared the American concerns on Iran with him. He said, the two countries have a better understanding of each other's concerns on Iran. On India's energy concerns, Dr. Jaishankar said, Secretary Pompeo understands what India's interest is.

On the issue of trade, the External Affairs Minister said, countries which are enjoying good trade relations, can have difference but that can be sorted out.

Dr Jaishankar made the point that Indo-Pacific is for peace, security, stability, and prosperity and not against anybody. He said, they are looking at a landscape where a number of independent players work together for what they believe to be global good.

Mr Pompeo said, US-India partnership is already beginning to reach new heights, and the two sides have bolstered the defence cooperation and have solidified the common vision for free and open Indo-Pacific. He said India and the US have grown cooperation in energy, space and other areas.

The US Secretary of State's meetings with the Indian leadership are the first high-level interactions between the two countries after the return of the Modi government to power last month.

Mike Pompeo's visit comes ahead of a meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, later this week. (AIR NEWS)

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