U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to address India conference in Washington

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Context:

  • U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will deliver the keynote address on ‘The U.S. and India: An Economic Foundation for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ in Washington D.C. Mr. Pompeo’s remarks will be delivered at the India Ideas summit, a two-day conference organised by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council at a time when the trade relationship between the two countries faces strong headwinds despite the fact that bilateral trade between the two countries has been growing.

Background:

  • The U.S. withdrew preferential trade access for Indian goods under the Generalized System of Preferences, citing a lack of assurances on market access for U.S. goods in India.
  • Simultaneously, the U.S. is hoping to increase its sale of defence equipment to India.
  • At the same time, the defence aspects of the relationship are not without looming challenges.
  • India has committed to buying the S-400 Triumf missile defence system from Russia — a move that could attract U.S. sanctions and, as per recent U.S. administration warnings, preclude a deep defence relationship with India.
  • These developments come at a time when the U.S. is confronting China on various fronts, from trade to security and China’s ambitions, including via its Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Pompeo is expected in New Delhi in the last week of June to prepare for a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Osaka, Japan, where the G-20 will meet on June 28 and 29.
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