Amid India-Pak tensions, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale begins US visit; will meet Pompeo today

As per MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, Gokhale is visiting Washington in connection with bilateral foreign office consultation and strategic security dialogue with his American counterparts.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale will meet US State Secretary Mike Pompeo/ Image: PTI

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale today began his three day official visit to the United States, which attains high importance especially after the recent tensions with Pakistan as an aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack. During his visit, Gokhale will also meet with US State Secretary Mike Pompeo. Foreign policy and security-related developments will be the key issues to be discussed by Gokhale, with the Trump administration. As per Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, Gokhale is visiting Washington in connection with bilateral foreign office consultation and strategic security dialogue with his American counterparts. Gokhale is also likely to meet with senior leaders in the US administration and US Congress, he said in response to a query on the foreign secretary's visit. Foreign Secretary is visiting Washington DC on March 11-13 in connection with the bilateral foreign office consultation and strategic security dialogue with his US counterparts, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson respectively, said Kumar. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will also meet Gokhale on Monday, during which the two officials are likely to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest. According to Pompeo's schedule for Monday released to the media, the State Department said the meeting between the US Secretary of State and Gokhale is scheduled at about 9 am local time or 6.30 pm IST. The foreign secretary's visit to the US comes in the backdrop of growing tension between India and Pakistan which escalated after Indian fighter jets bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, after Pulwama terror attack.  Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Pulwama terror attack on CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killed 40 soldiers.