WASHINGTON, 12 March 2020, TON: US Defence Secretary Mark Esper who was scheduled to visit India on 15 - 16 March 2020 has been cancelled. The Indian Ministry of Defence in a statement clarified that the trip has been called off due to the coronavirus threat. US Defence Department through its Laison Officer at New Delhi informed Indian authorities about cancellation of India visit by US Defence Secretary, however, no reason was communicated. Reportedly, Washington is aggrieved over increasing India - Russia relations and double cross. 

A two-day conference, 21st Asian Security Conference (ASC), organised by the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), which was to start from 12 March to make it headlines prior to US Defence Secretary’s visit has also been postponed. Earlier it was reported that Indian Defence Minister and Home Minister were also scheduled to attend the conference on Security Issues in Asia. Participants included from countries; US, UK, Russia, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Sweden and Belgium.