Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed ways to step up cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms, during a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Modi, while welcoming Tillerson on his maiden visit to the country, noted with appreciation the firm upward trajectory in the bilateral strategic partnership following the positive and far-reaching talks with President Trump in June this year.
Modi shared the resolve expressed by Tillerson on further taking further steps to strengthen bilateral engagement.
The two leaders affirmed that a strengthened India-US partnership is not just of mutual benefit to both countries, but has significant positive impact on the prospects for regional and global stability and prosperity.
In the context of President Trump's new South Asia Policy, theprime minister noted the commonality in the objectives of eradicating terrorism, terrorist infrastructure, safe havens, and support, while bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan.
In this regard, Tillerson exchanged views on his recent travels in the region with Modi.
'US will provide India best military tech'
Tillerson said the US will provide India with best technologies for its military modernisation which include offers to supply F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.
After holding wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Tillerson said the US supports India's emergence as a "leading power" and it will continue to help New Delhi strengthen its military capability.
"The US supports India's emergence as a leading power and will continue to contribute to the Indian capability to provide security throughout the region," he said addressing a joint press conference with Swaraj.
"We are willing to provide India best technologies for its military modernisation efforts which include ambitious offers by American industry for F-16 and F-18 fighter planes," said Tillerson.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a bilateral meeting with US Defence Secretary James Mattis on the sidelines of a meeting of ASEAN defence ministers in Clark in the Philippines.
A host of issues relating to defence and security cooperation was discussed at the meeting, officials said.
Mattis had visited India last month, in first cabinet- level visit to India under the Trump Administration, and both sides then had decided to accelerate the pace of India-US defence cooperation.
After the visit, Mattis had said there is a "generational opportunity" between the two largest democracies of the world to work together.
The defence and security ties between India and the US have been on an upswing.
