Terror, H-1B, Iran Sanctions: Top Agenda of Jaishankar-Pompeo Meet

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, 25 June, to hold talks with the top Indian leadership – the first high-level visit from any country following the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

This will be Pompeo’s and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s first meeting after the latter took over the mantle of the foreign ministry.

Earlier in the day, Pompeo made an unannounced stop in Kabul and met Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss ongoing peace talks with the Taliban and the security situation ahead of Afghan presidential polls in September.

Terrorism, H1B visas, trade and the situation arising out of US sanctions on buying oil from Iran will be among a host of issues on the table when Jaishankar holds talks with his American counterpart.

Jaishankar on 25 June, said there will “definitely” be talks on trade issues during Pompeo’s visit. “We will be meeting with positive attitude,” Jaishankar added.S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister”We have our interests and the US has their own, sometimes they converge and sometimes they don’t. Diplomacy is about finding a common ground on these interests.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, sources in the ministry indicated that the meeting will merely establish a working relationship of sorts between the two countries, rather than look at “resolving issues.”

On the issue of the situation arising out of the ending of exemptions from US sanctions to buy oil from Iran, the diplomatic sources said a decision will be taken based on India’s energy security and commercial considerations, according to PTI.

The engagement with the US will continue on how it can help India get alternative supplies, the diplomatic sources added.

Pompeo is scheduled to visit PM Modi at his residence and also make a policy speech at the US Embassy, before he departs to the G-20 Summit in Japan’s Osaka.

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit.

According to The Hindu Businessline, Pompeo is also expected to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over the course of his visit. Speaking to the newspaper, an official said:”Pompeo is scheduled to have three bilaterals, one each with PM Modi, Jaishankar and Doval. The meetings will focus on addressing current irritants in Indo-US relationships including trade issues and India’s relationship with Iran and Russia, so that bilateral ties can be further strengthened.”