Hope relationship with US will continue to move forward: MEA

Amid escalating India-US tension, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said New Delhi remained focused on the substantive agenda the two countries had committed to and hoped the relationship would continue to “move forward”.

Answering questions on the frayed ties between the two countries after the US imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges.”

Addressing the media, he said two defence-related exchanges were planned between the two countries this month.

“We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests,” Jaiswal added.

He revealed that militaries of the two countries would be doing a joint exercise in Alaska this month while New Delhi would host a US defence policy group. “We are expecting a US defence policy team to be in Delhi. The 21st edition of the joint military exercise – Yudh Abhyas — is also expected to take place later this month in Alaska,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 intersessional meeting at the working level towards the end of the month, Jaiswal said. The 2+2 format is the joint meeting of foreign and defence ministers of both sides. The intersessional meeting is of officials.

The India–US defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, was an important pillar of the bilateral ties, said Jaiswal.

India and the US share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties, Jaiswal said.

On being asked about a US State Department report on human rights, Jaiswal said, “We have always maintained these reports are a mix of imputations, misrepresentations and one-sided projections.”

“The report demonstrates a poor understanding of India’s democratic framework, pluralistic society and robust institutional mechanisms for protecting human rights. We do not attach any credence to such biased assessments,” he said.

“We remain focused on advancing human rights of our people through inclusive governance and development,” he added.