NEW DELHI, 13 October 2020, (TON): The US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun’s visit to New Delhi came after the announcement made at the juncture of Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar’s meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He is in New Delhi on began a three-day visit to India starting from 12 October 2020.

Deputy Secretary Biegun arrived at New Delhi on 12 October and met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Both sides exchanged views of issues of mutual interest including Indo-China tension, peace talks in Afghanistan with reference to greater role of India and Iran in Afghan peace process, sanctions on Iran, acquisition of military equipment and expansion of Indo-Pacific command.  

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar while expressing views on the regional situation and strategic cooperation, tried to convince Washington that Pakistan is exerting pressure on India not to act against China and Washington must put pressure on Pakistan to stop the proxy war against India. Later the Indian side also gave briefing on cross border terrorism and Indian operations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Both sides agreed to share vital information through respective agencies.
Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla asked the US Deputy Secretary to ensure US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper to attend the “2 + 2" defence and foreign ministerial talks in person in New Delhi on 26 - 27 October.