India US hold Foreign Office Consultations

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, co-chaired the annual India-U.S. Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in New Delhi.

The FOC was an opportunity to continue discussions held during Foreign Secretary’s visit to USA in October 2022. Both sides reviewed progress made towards further consolidating the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

Discussions also covered contemporary regional developments in South Asia, Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific. The two sides reiterated their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, with the objective of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Foreign Secretary and Under Secretary Nuland took stock of a number of initiatives and frameworks that reflect common strategic interests, including Quad, I2U2, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA).

Both sides agreed to work together during India’s ongoing G20 Presidency. They also agreed to intensify cooperation in multilateral fora and international organizations, including the UN, on global issues of mutual interest.

The productive and substantive meeting enabled both sides to continue a regular dialogue that has been instrumental in enhancing mutual understanding and in identification of opportunities for further growth and enrichment of the India-US partnership.