The United States Secretary of State John Kerry met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday to discuss Indo-US Strategic and Commercial dialogue at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in New Delhi.
During the discussion, both Swaraj and Kerry acknowledged the deep ties and partnership between India and the United States. Kerry, while addressing the opening plenary session with Swaraj said that he was honoured to be back in Delhi. However, this will be his last address, considering the upcoming elections in the US.
Kerry said that despite the elections in the US, the ties between the nations will continue to deepen and grow stronger. Kerry also cited the US President Barack Obama, who deemed the Indo-US relations as a "defining partnership of the 21st century."
7:57 p.m. IST: "We cannot, and will not, make any distinctions between good and bad terrorism," says Kerry.
7: 55 p.m. IST: "I have talked to Pak PM and General Raheel Sharif for the need for Pakistan to deprive any group (terrorist) of sanctuary," says US Secretary of State John Kerry.
7: 50 p.m. IST: "It's well known that LeT & Haqqani network have operated from Pakistan," says Kerry.
7: 45 p.m. IST: "We have reiterated that terrorism and talks do not go hand in hand. Talks will happen when they address issues like Pathankot attack," Swaraj says.
7: 40 p.m. IST: "There is no rift caused by us when it comes to Pak, we have been of view that we want peaceful talks," says Swaraj.
7: 35 p.m. IST: "US and India are of exactly similar mind with respect to issue of terror, not only to prevent it, but to bring terrorists to justice," says John Kerry.
7:30 p.m. IST: "US stands in strong partnership with India against all terrorism," says Kerry.
7: 29 p.m. IST: "We reaffirmed the urgent necessity for Pakistan to dismantle safe havens for terrorists and criminals networks including LeT, JeM," Swaraj said.
7:28 p.m. IST: "Wide ranging talks reaffirmed that when two such democracies get together, we can't only make a change for our citizens but for world," says John Kerry.
7:27 p.m. IST: "We agreed that nations must not maintain double standards, such as the categorization of good and bad terrorists," says Swaraj.
7: 25 p.m. IST:
7:23 p.m. IST: Talking about her meeting with Kerry, Swaraj said, "I briefed secretary Kerry on the continuing problem of cross-border terrorism that India and the larger region faces from Pakistan."
7:20 p.m. IST: Kerry address Sushma, says, "You (Sushma Swaraj) have always lived up to the reputation as a fierce advocate of India's interest and its citizens."
7:14 p.m. IST:
7:12 p.m. IST: "I thanked Secretary Kerry for USA's constant support for India's membership in NSG," says Swaraj.
7: 00 p.m. IST: Sushma Swaraj brings up Pakistan, says, "Secretary Kerry and I agreed that Pakistan needs to take fast track actions to catch the perpetrators of 2008 Mumbai attack & 2016 Pathankot attack."
Swaraj, during the meeting, said that there was a need to strengthen India's partnership with the US in the field of Green Energy. She also urged the US to become an active member of the international solar alliance.
The External Affairs Minister also said that the citizens of both the countries are living and earning their livelihood in each other's nations more than ever before.
