US can 'lean upon' India to resolve major challenges in the world: State Dept

Washington [US], Dec 19 (ANI): Calling India a "very important friend" on which the United States can "lean upon" to resolve major challenges in the world, the US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said Washington's Indo Pacific strategy cannot be accomplished without the help of New Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Ortagus said, 'US-India 2+2 Dialogue' which was held here on Wednesday, shows the significance of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. During the meeting, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh held extensive talks with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

"It is important to note that it is only the second time we have had this 2+2 dialogue between the United States and India. It is the first time that it is being held in Washington. We have a very few of these around the world. I mean this shows the significance of the US bilateral relationship with India. India is incredibly important to us," Ortagus said.

She also said that India and the United States are holding talks on a wide range of issues like counter-terrorism, economics, trade, and security.

"We have a number of issues as it relates to counter-terrorism, economics, trade, security and then what's most important is that the world's oldest and the world's largest democracies talk on a range of these issues," she said.

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