New Delhi: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in New Delhi on Monday to participate in the 2nd Indo-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue where terrorism emanating from Pakistan and other important issues, including economic matters, were discussed.
As a part of his visit, Secretary Kerry addressed the students of Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi on Wednesday morning.
Kerry stressed on the importance of building the relationship between the two biggest democracies.
“Strengthening Indo-US relations is a top priority for the United States… US and India have to keep faith in our democratic values and respect the rights of all our citizens.
" At a time when countries seek to address issues through use of force, US-India have upheld the rule-based international order… The common philosophies of India & US are responsible for our ties,” Kerry said, at the Town hall session at IIT Delhi.
Talking about US relations with India and PM Modi, Secretary Kerry said, “Wherever I go, I find a robust debate, and an ambitious vision of future. This is perhaps in Indian DNA… The sole constant in India is change… US supports PM Modi’s plan of increasing share of renewable power source.”
Kerry also mentioned that the key challenge for the world is the fight to preserve the planet, use of clean energy and fight climate change and appreciated India’s strong stand on climate change.
The Secretary of State spoke about terrorism and said, “the battle to counter terrorists and extremists cannot be won by one nation… It is important to strike at root cause of extremism and confront the challenges together.” He added that to fight extremism, bad governance should be eradicated and everyone should partake in the battle towards a peaceful world.
On Tuesday, India and the United States agreed to move forward on building six nuclear reactors and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of atomic power and space.
The US also fully backed India on its demand that Pakistan should act against terrorists operating from sanctuaries on its soil with US Secretary of State John Kerry asserting that his country “stands in strong partnership with India” against all terrorism.
Terrorism, more specifically that emanating from Pakistan, figured prominently in marathon talks between Kerry and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who briefed him extensively on the “continuing problem of cross-border terrorism that India and the larger region face from Pakistan”.
Stepping up cooperation on counter-terrorism, India and US agreed on a joint cyber framework and intensifying intelligence sharing in combating terror and violent extremism.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, after holding the 2nd Indo-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue with US Secretary of State John Kerry, said the two countries agreed on additional measures to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.
