Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit U.S. from May 27-29; military cooperation on agenda
Foreign Secretary Vikrma Misri will travel to Washington, D.C. for a two-day visit to the U.S. to meet senior officials of the administration from May 27-29, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday (May 26, 2025).
Mr. Misri's visit is a follow up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the U.S. in February this year, when both nations had launched the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century, according to Ministry of External Affairs' statement.
The MEA stated, 'Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri will be visiting Washington, D.C., USA from 27-29 May 2025 to meet senior officials of the US Administration. The visit is a follow up to Prime Minister's visit to the United States in February 2025, when both sides had launched the India-U.S. COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century.'
India and the U.S. bolstered their ties during PM Modi's two-day visit with a series of initiatives across several sectors. US President Donald Trump and PM Modi had launched a new initiative -'US-India COMPACT for the 21st Century' - to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation.
This was PM Modi's first visit to the U.S. since President Donald Trump's inauguration of the second Presidential term in January. To further advance defence ties, the leaders had announced plans to sign this year a new ten-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership in the 21st Century.
Highlighting the deepening convergence of U.S.-India strategic interests, the leaders had reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a dynamic defence partnership spanning multiple domains, according to joint statement released after their bilateral meeting.
The leaders committed to designate senior representatives to advance these negotiations and to ensure that the trade relationship fully reflects the aspirations of the COMPACT.
(With inputs from ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- The Hindu
More ‘resources and efforts' required to nurture India-Central Asia links: S. Jaishankar
More efforts and resources need to be invested in improving India's connectivity with Central Asia, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday (June 5, 2025), highlighting the need for intensifying trade through the port of Chabahar in Iran. Speaking at the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting ahead of the fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue that is scheduled for Friday (June 6, 2025), Mr. Jaishankar expressed support for 'mutual settlement of trade' in national currencies. 'We are discussing this under the Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port under the India-Central Asia platform,' said Mr. Jaishankar at the event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), referring to the requirements to energise the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and greater use of Chabahar port to reduce travel distance and costs between India and Central Asia. Mr. Jaishankar spoke at the event, which was also addressed by Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan; Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan; Rashid Meredov, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan; and Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan. At Friday's (June 6, 2025) dialogue, the Ministers are expected to discuss trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation. 'They will also share perspectives on challenges to regional security and other regional and global issues of mutual interest,' said the Ministry of External Affairs in an announcement regarding the Minister-level meeting. The Foreign Minister-level dialogue is being seen as significant as it comes a month after India conducted Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan and reached out to the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. Mr. Jaishankar further urged the business chambers to come up with ideas for enhancing bilateral ties between India and Central Asia ahead of a possible India-Central Asia leadership summit that he said could be held 'sometime in the not so distant future'. In the near future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meet in Tianjin, China. The first India-Central Asia summit was held in virtual mode on January 27, 2022 when Mr. Modi had hosted the heads of governments of the Central Asian countries. The third meeting of the Foreign Ministers was held during December 18-20, 2021 in New Delhi. 'I would say closer engagements between our banks and financial sector will definitely strengthen our economic interaction. Some beginnings have been made in terms of opening of Special Rupee Vostro Accounts in Indian banks by Central Asian banks and there has also been some discussions about use of UPI [Unified Payment Interface]. I would certainly support that very strongly as also the steps we could take to facilitate mutual settlement of trade in our national currencies,' said Mr. Jaishankar. Mr. Jaishankar said India-Central Asia bilateral trade had touched $2 billion and added the figure did 'not reflect full potential'. 'The need to address this is today more urgent because of the uncertainties of the international economy,' he said. Suggesting a way forward, he said the two sides should 'deepen' existing trade links. Mr. Jaishankar picked the pharmaceuticals sector as an example as Central Asia is one of the largest markets of Indian pharma products. Mr. Jaishankar presented uranium, crude oil, gas, mining, coal, and fertilizers as areas where long-term understanding can be reached between India and Central Asia. 'India would be very happy to partner in platforms like Aadhaar, DigiLocker with our Central Asian partners... It will be of great help to our tourists and students,' said Mr. Jaishankar. Speaking at the event, Mr. Nurtleu said Kazakhstan is trying to intensify connectivity between the ports on the Caspian Sea coast and the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran.
Mint
32 minutes ago
- Mint
Omar Abdullah shares glimpses of Chenab bridge a day before inauguration by PM Modi
A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir to flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared glimpses of 'tallest railway bridge in the world' – The Chenab bridge. Abdullah visited the Chenab Bridge and reviewed arrangements for the visit of PM Modi on Thursday. Taking to X, the Jammu and Kashmir CM wrote, 'Visited the tallest railway bridge in the world, The Chenab Bridge, to review arrangements for the visit of the Hon PM @narendramodi ji tomorrow. Tomorrow is a landmark day for J&K when, finally, the valley will be connected to the rest of the country by a railway link to be inaugurated at the hands of the Hon PM.' He also shared multiple images and videos of the Chenab bridge. Along with Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Omar Abdullah also inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train, which will be flagged off by PM Modi on Friday. He said, as quoted by ANI, "If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college. But, better late than PM will inaugurate the Vande Bharat services and it will benefit highway gets blocked, the airlines start selling tickets of ₹ 5,000 for ₹ 20,000, such issues will be solved from now on." "This project has set many records. The Chenab Bridge is higher than the Eiffel Tower. Anji Khad Bridge is the longest cable-stayed railway bridge in the country. There are many tunnels between Katra and Banihal. The project will be boost for economy and tourism. Now it will take 4 hours from Srinagar to Katra. We will ensure successful Amarnath Yatra," he added. The world's tallest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, stands 359 meters above mean sea level. It will connect Jammu and Srinagar. At an estimated cost of over ₹ 43,000 crore, the USBRL project involved laying out ballastless tracks over bridges and tunnels, spanning deep gorges. Ninety per cent of the route was traversed over 943 bridges and 36 main tunnels, including India's longest railway tunnel, T-50, which stretched more than 12.7 km. Also, on the Katra-Banihal section, the Vande Bharat train will also traverse another engineering marvel: the Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed bridge. Supported by 96 cables, the 725-meter-long bridge stands 331 meters above mean sea level.
NDTV
35 minutes ago
- NDTV
Shashi Tharoor-Led All-Party Delegation Meets US Vice President JD Vance
Washington: The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Shashi Tharoor on Thursday had an "excellent meeting" with the United States Vice President J.D. Vance in Washington, briefing him about Operation Sindoor, terrorism faced by India and regional security. "The All Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Dr. Shashi Tharoor called on Vice President J D Vance this morning. The conversation focused on strengthening the India-US partnership including cooperation in counter-terrorism domain," the Embassy of India in the United States posted on X. The All Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Dr. @ShashiTharoor called on Vice President JD Vance @VP this morning. The conversation focused on strengthening the India - US partnership including cooperation in counter-terrorism domain. — India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) June 5, 2025 "Excellent meeting with Vice President J D Vance today in Washington D.C. with our delegation. We had comprehensive discussions covering a wide array of critical issues, from counter-terrorism efforts to enhancing technological cooperation. A truly constructive and productive exchange for strengthening India-US strategic partnership, with a great meeting of minds," Tharoor also posted on X after the meeting. Mr Vance was visiting India when the heinous Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22. In a strong message of support and solidarity, the US Vice-President had also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strongly condemn the terror attack and convey that the United States is ready to provide "all assistance" in the joint fight against terrorism. "Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India. Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack," he had posted on X. Earlier in the day, Mr Tharoor spoke with Ambassador Ken Juster at Council on Foreign Relations on India's fight against terrorism. On Wednesday, the all party delegation met prominent members of the Indian diaspora in USA. The delegation spoke about India's resolute and united stand against terrorism and the new normal created by India through Operation Sindoor. The Indian diaspora members shared their message of solidarity with the victims of terrorism and support for India's fight against terrorism. "Pleasure to host Chairman Shashi Tharoor and members of the Indian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. My colleagues and I expressed condolences for the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed Congress's commitment to the US-India partnership," said Gregory Meeks. Later, the delegation interacted with members of the Indian and American Press Corps at the Embassy. The delegation is engaging with members of the US Congress, US thinks tanks and media professionals to brief about Operation Sindoor, terrorism faced by India and regional security. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, delegation head and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "What we are seeking to do in every country is to explain our version of events, our experience of the last few weeks, to seek the solidarity and understanding of those we meet and speak to." "I'm very pleased to say that so far, our batting average is over 100 -- in other words, every single person we have met so far has immediately not only condemned resolutely the terrorist attack upon India and expressed their outrage and their sympathy, but they have also explicitly endorsed India's right to defend itself against terrorism, and this kind of understanding has been most welcome." Tharoor described the Pahalgam terror attack as an egregious disruption during a time of economic and social optimism in Kashmir. "Kashmir was booming. Ordinary Kashmiris are benefiting from vast numbers of tourists coming in, putting money into their hands and their pockets. It was a lovely time. And here's this innocent group of holiday tourists on a dappled meadow in Kashmir being murdered in cold blood by people coming and asking their religion and shooting them between the eyes," he said. "It really was a sickening outrage, and the nation rose as one to support whatever the government chose to do, and what the government chose to do in the end was what most of us would have wanted," he added. He also explained India's calibrated military response and eventual ceasefire. "If you were to go back and look at the briefings the government gave each morning, the message is very clear: we are hitting them because they are hitting us. If they stop, we'll stop. And after 88 hours, the Pakistani Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart and said, let's call it off. And we called it off," Tharoor said. The delegation includes a diverse political mix, with members such as Shambhavi Choudhary of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, Bhubaneswar Kalita and Tejasvi Surya of the BJP, and GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party, a National Democratic Alliance partner.
