India buying missile from Russia and oil from Iran not on primary focus, says Pompeo ahead of 2+2 dialogue

Washington, September 5: New Delhi is all set to host US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday for the much-awaited two-plus-two dialogue (2+2 dialogue). Before arriving at New Delhi, US has indicated that the bilateral relationship between two countries will not be harmed due to other issues including India buying a missile defence system from Russia and oil from Iran.

 

Notably, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday while heading to New Delhi said that India buying a missile defence system from Russia and oil from Iran would be part of the dialogue, but not the primary focus.

Replying to reporters in Washington, Pompeo said, "The missile system purchase from Russia and oil from Iran are a part of the conversation. They will certainly come up, but I don't think they will be the primary focus of what it is we are trying to accomplish here. There are half-a-dozen things on the agenda that we are really intent on making progress on."

Pompeo will travel first to Pakistan along with Jim Mattis before visiting India. The much-awaited 2+2 dialogue between India and the United States (US) will take place on September 6 this year to strengthen bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will host the US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in New Delhi.

The key highlights of the dialogue is scheduled to be counter-terrorism, defence cooperation and trade. The bilateral meetings will be followed by the combined 2 +2 Dialogue.