US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrives in New Delhi on a two-day visit

The US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrives in New Delhi last night on a two day visit to India beginning today. Talking to media persons in Washington before leaving for New Delhi, he said India and the US have a historic opportunity to set a refreshed partnership built on shared values of democracy, freedom of expression and human dignity.

Mattis said for US, India is clearly a pillar of regional stability and security. He praised New Delhi for supporting the fight against terrorists in Afghanistan. Mr Mattis is the first Cabinet Minister of the Trump Administration to visit India. 

The US



Secretary of States said, during his visit he will discuss the joint efforts to advance common goals through a broader strategic exchange of views. He said the goal of his trip was to promote pragmatic progress between the two countries' defence partnership, delivering defence inter operability aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump's direction as security is on of the key strategic pillars.

Today, the US Defence Secretary will meet Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi to discuss on the broader issues and both will also deliver a press statements at South Block.