US State Secretary, MEA discuss trade, H-1B visas and more
What's the story
On his India visit United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday to hold talks on ways to bolster the Indo-US strategic relationship.
The two discussed issues pertaining to global terrorism, trade, India's S-400 missile defense system deal with Russia, effects of US sanctions on Iran's oil industry, and H-1B visas.
Here are more details.
US-Iran
Pompeo calls Iran 'world's largest state-sponsor of terror'
Talking about the recent US-Iran tensions, Pompeo said Iran is "the world's largest state-sponsor of terror" and addressed the need to "keep energy at right prices."
After the meet, Jaishankar said India has a "certain perspective on Iran" adding that Pompeo shared American concerns with the country with him.
"Both of us came out better informed on the situation in Iran," Jaishankar said.
S-400 deal
We will do what is in our national interest: Jaishankar
On Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)- American law under which it imposes sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia- Jaishankar said, "We have relationships with many countries, many of them are of some standing. We will do what is in our national interest."
Meanwhile, India sought waivers from sanctions from the US on S-400 Triumf missile systems deal with Russia.
Quote
We can work together. Provide foundation for relationship: Pompeo
"We've endeavored to ensure that our countries can provide security for itself, want India to be able to do that too," Pompeo said. "I see the two issues as real opportunities, I know that we can work together and provide a foundation for the relationship."
Trade
Pompeo voiced US concerns over India's tariff on American products
Pompeo also differed with Jaishankar over the current stalemate in US-India trade relations, adding that the difference should be taken "in the spirit of friendship."
Earlier, Pompeo had voiced concerns over India imposing tariff on 28 US products after the latter withdrew trade privileges.
Pompeo maintained that the US remains hopeful that India would drop the trade barriers.
Information
India and US trade in deadlock over tariff issues
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump raised issues with India's tariff on motorcycles, even as India slashed it to 50% from 100% after the US had previously threatened to impose retaliatory taxes, claiming India charges America very high tariffs on exports.
Pompeo-Modi
Pompeo held talks with PM Modi earlier in the day
Earlier on Wednesday, Pompeo held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Pompeo announced that Modi will meet the US President on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit.
However, ahead of the India-US talks, diplomatic sources asserted that India meets US waiver criteria for the S-400 deal and New Delhi-Moscow defense ties cannot be "wished away."
Overview
First high-level meet since Modi formed government in May
Notably, this is the first high-level interaction between the two nations since Modi government returned for a second term.
The meet also comes against the backdrop of troubling India-US trade relations and the US tightening H-1B visa rules for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally.
However, it was maintained that even the best of friends can have differences.