Ahead of US-India two-plus-two dialogue, dy secy of State underscores importance of free Indo-Pacific

Washington DC [US], October 15 (ANI): Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun, who was on a three-day visit to New Delhi from October 12, met with senior Indian government officials ahead of the US-India two-plus-two ministerial dialogue later this year.
At an India-US forum, Deputy Secretary Biegun joined Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla to underscore the importance of the partnership between both the countries, particularly in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Deputy Secretary emphasised the work of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, toward a region protected and made prosperous in equal measure by strong and peaceful nations in the Indo-Pacific, said a release on Wednesday.
Deputy Secretary Biegun also underscored enhanced cooperation among the Quad to create resilient supply chains, promote transparency, and increase maritime security -- topics most recently discussed in the October 6 meeting of foreign ministers, attended by Secretary of State Pompeo.
In his meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, and Defense Secretary Ajay Kumar, the deputy secretary discussed the US efforts to work with India and like-minded partners on a range of issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, and coordinated efforts to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While in New Delhi, Deputy Secretary Biegun also met with Bhutanese Ambassador to India Major General Vetsop Namgyel to reaffirm the United States' close relationship with the people of Bhutan. (ANI)