Mike Pompeo in India: US Secretary of State Meets PM Modi in Delhi Today; 10 Points

Pompeo's visit comes ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, which will be held in Osaka, Japan from June 28-29.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in India on Tuesday and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi. (Twitter)

Mike Pompeo in India: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in India on Tuesday and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi. This is the first high-level visit from any country following the Lok Sabha polls in India and he is here to hold talks with the top Indian leadership. Pompeo's visit comes ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, which will be held in Osaka, Japan from June 28-29. During his visit, the top Trump administration will also meet PM Modi. He is scheduled to leave India on Thursday morning. Sharing pictures of the meeting on Twitter, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote: "Working together to further deepen our strategic partnership. @SecPompeo called on PM @narendramodi to exchange views on various aspects of Indo-US relationship. PM will meet President @realDonaldTrump on the sidelines of the upcoming #G20OsakaSummit."

Working together to further deepen our strategic partnership@SecPompeo called on PM @narendramodi to exchange views on various aspects of Indo-US relationship. PM will meet President @realDonaldTrump on the sidelines of the upcoming #G20OsakaSummit pic.twitter.com/Jjjp9gTKbd

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 26, 2019

Here are the top 10 updates on Mike Pompeo's India visit: • Pompeo's talks here will be the first high-level interaction between the two countries after return of the Modi government to power last month. • Secretary Pompeo's visit marks the third visit to India by a Secretary of State during the Trump Administration.

Delhi: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US Secretary of State is on a visit to India from June 25-27. pic.twitter.com/5fWkIrKdW9

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2019

• He will also deliver a speech on the future of the relationship and opportunities for cooperation on global issues of shared concern. • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pompeo will hold talks today with India's purchase of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, terrorism, H1B visas, trade and the situation arising out of US sanctions on buying oil from Iran likely to be on the table, along with a host of other issues.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet NSA Ajit Doval in South Block this morning. They will discus multiple issues including terror & defence before the meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G-20 summit at Osaka on June 28. (file pics) pic.twitter.com/rMtAxFxuZa

— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2019

• Pompeo will also have a working lunch with Jaishankar and call on Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday. • He will meet Indian and US business leaders in a roundtable format and deliver a policy speech at the India International Centre. • 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. • Sources also said that India meets the criteria for a US sanctions waiver for procuring S-400 missile defence systems from Russia and the Trump administration has "enough flexibility" on the issue. • Meanwhile, India will try to find common ground on trade issues during discussions with visiting US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. • As vibrant democracies rooted in shared values, with fast-growing economies, cultures of entrepreneurship, and leadership positions on the global stage, the United States and India are natural strategic partners, a statement issued by the US Department of State said.

#WATCH: United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in Delhi. He is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar & Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/9Fd8cBmX9U

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2019

The State Department said as India's number one overseas market, the US purchases close to one-fifth of its exports. India is also the fastest growing major market for US goods. Two-way bilateral goods and services trade with India totalled USD 142 billion in 2018, up 12.6 per cent, or almost USD16 billion, over the previous year. US crude oil exports to India are surging, increasing India's energy security while reducing its bilateral trade deficit. The United States exported nearly 50 million barrels of crude to India in 2018, compared to less than 10 million barrels in 2017, and is on pace to export even greater volumes in 2019, it said. US defense sales to India are estimated to reach approximately USD18 billion by 2019 from near zero in 2008, boosting India's national security capabilities and increasing employment in both countries, it said. (With inputs from agencies)