Navtej Sarna
Counsellor (Press & Information)
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Press Release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on India - U.S. Politico-Military dialogue

New Delhi
April 30, 2002

The inaugural India-US Politico-Military Dialogue was held today in New Delhi. Mr. Jayant Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted the meeting and Mr. Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs in the US State Department, led the US delegation.

The dialogue is an important addition to the wide-ranging bilateral dialogue architecture and provides a forum for discussion on the political and strategic framework for bilateral defence and security cooperation, including in the area of defence supplies. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which Mr. Bloomfield heads, is the lead office in the United States for arms transfers policy and clearance of arms export licenses.

The two delegations exchanged views on the international security environment, including in the context of post-September 11 developments and the war against terrorism. They recognized that India and the United States share many common interests in Asia and beyond, which provide the foundation of stronger political and security relations between India and the United States. They expressed the hope that the Politico-Military Dialogue, together with discussions under the Defence Policy Group, would deepen mutual understanding and cooperation on political and security issues and lead to a more robust defence supply relationship.

The two delegations agreed to resume their dialogue at mutually agreed dates in Washington D.C.