Won’t deploy Indian troops in Afghanistan: Sitharaman to US Defence Secretary Mattis

Mangalore Today News Network

Sep 26, 2017: A categorical Nirmala Sitharaman told her United States counterpart James Mattis today that there will be no Indian troops in Afghanistan."There shall not be any (Indian) boots on the ground in Afghanistan," the Defence Minister told reporters after talks with the visiting US Defence Secretary.

The Defence Minister, however, added that India has contributed consistently to Afghanistan by building dams, schools and providing medical assistance and training to its people.

"These will continue. These engagements will continue," Sitharaman told Mattis, but "there shall be no boots on the ground in Afghanistan". She also said that she has raised the issue of US military aid to Pakistan in her talks with Mattis.

She said there was a growing convergence between India and the US over the issue of terrorism in the region and condemnation of those who use terror as an instrument of state policy.

Sitharaman underlined India’s strong relations with the US. She said the two countries "share a strong and vibrant strategic partnership as the world’s largest democracies". "We also share fundamental values and interests," she said.

Mattis said the US values India’s "invaluable contribution to Afghanistan" and welcomes further efforts to promote democracy, safety and security there.

Both New Delhi and Washington have shared concerns about Afghanistan. Trump has also cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops in the war-torn country. Washington has urged India to increase its stake in Afghanistan. India has, however, ruled out deploying troops in Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, training of the Afghan National Army and supply of more hardware and weapons platforms to the Afghan security forces by India cannot be ruled out.

On the table will be the all crucial cooperation and sharing of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). India and the US have strong cooperation in this area. However, encrypted messaging platforms used by terrorists continues to be a cause of concern for Indian law enforcement agencies.

MATTIS FIRST HIGH-PROFILE TRUMP MAN TO VISIT INDIA

James Mattis is the first high-profile cabinet minister of the Trump administration to visit India. He will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today towards making India-US relations "shock-proof".

Often India-US relations have suffered because of external factors like India’s dealings with Russia or US cutting down on visa for software professionals. The idea is to take US-India relations to a different level and make it "shock-proof."

The US has indicated as much. General Mattis told reporters in Washington that the "strengthening of strategic relationship with India is not at the expense of others".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met in June this year. Later, Trump called out Islamabad for supporting terror groups and "agents of chaos".

CHINA BRINGS INDIA, US CLOSER
An aggressive China has brought US and Japan closer. In June this year the three countries conducted one of the biggest joint exercises in the Bay of Bengal. As aircraft and helicopters carriers of India and US and Japan steamed through Indian Ocean Region along with stealth a warships and subamirne the signal to Beijing was loud and clear.

India and US will stress on freedom of navigation through the disputed South China Sea.

Sources indicated that India and US could decide to conduct a joint Humanitarian Disaster Relief (HADR) Operation including helicopter-borne operations. "Joint exercises allow us to know and understand each better," source said.

Both sides are also expected to discuss and broader the scope of Defence Technology Trade Initiative (DTTI). The DDTI was the brain-child of Obama administration and although the Modi Government has pursued it vigorously none of the projects have matured. Sources said the DTTI will be expended to Air and Naval system.

 

Courtesy: Yahoo.com