NEW DELHI – India and the United States will sign an accord on sharing sensitive information ahead of talks between their defense and foreign ministers that will focus on countering China’s growing influence.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as Indian and Chinese troops face off at their disputed Himalayan border.
The Pompeo-Esper visit to New Delhi is part of a concerted US campaign to draw India into a deeper defense relationship.
Esper and Singh “reinforced their commitment to deepening military-to-military cooperation” during talks on Monday, said a US Defense Department statement.
Both sides said that an accord on sharing geospatial intelligence would be signed during the day.
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement will allow the US to share top-secret satellite and sensor data that would help India in targeting its missiles and placing troops.
It will also allow the US to provide the latest navigational technology on any fighter jets it supplies to India. (AFP)
