New Delhi [India], Mar 7 (ANI): Commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) General Raymond A Thomas II met Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday to discuss issues pertaining to the strategic and mutual concern of New Delhi and Washington.
"General Raymond A Thomas III,  Commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)  called upon and interacted with General Bipin Rawat COAS, today. Discussed issues of strategic & mutual concern," tweeted Additional Directorate General of Public Information of Indian Army.
The meeting came on the heels of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. A day after India launched "pre-emptive" and "non-military" strike against JeM in Pakistan's Balakot, the fighter jets of the two countries engaged in a dogfight in the skies of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistani F-16 planes transgressed into the Indian air space.
The US said it supports India’s decision to take action against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp on the Pakistani soil on Tuesday.
After the Indian strikes, Pompeo had said, “I spoke to Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil.”
Acknowledging Indian actions as "counter-terrorism" action, the US Secretary of State said, "Following Indian counter-terrorism actions on February 26, I spoke with Indian Minister of External Affairs Swaraj to emphasize our close security partnership and shared the goal of maintaining peace and security in the region." (ANI)