(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The annual India-US Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi on January 31, 2023
India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
The annual India-US Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in New Delhi on Tuesday by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 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,” the MEA said.
Foreign Secretary Kwatra and Under Secretary Nuland reviewed several initiatives and frameworks that reflect strategic interests, such as Quad, I2U2, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative (IPMDA).
Additionally, 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.
According to the MEA, 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.
The FOC came at a time when US State Secretary Victoria Nuland is on a four-nation visit to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Qatar from January 28 to February 3.
While in New Delhi, Under Secretary of State Nuland also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and they discussed the convergences in the relationship between the two sides.
“Glad to meet US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland this morning. Good talk on the Indian Subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific and the many convergences in our relationship,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted.
(India News Network)
