Ajit Doval was seen exchanging an elbow lump with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
New Delhi:
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval exchanged nudges, skipping the conventional handshake, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark T Esper today in Delhi, according to standards of social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The meeting in South Block lasted 40 minutes before the third edition of the 2 + 2 Ministerial Dialogue. Mr. Esper and Mr. Pompeo arrived in India on Monday for crucial talks aimed at further strengthening the defense and security ties between the two. country.
Mr. Doval was seen exchanging elbows with US leaders; all wore face masks. Mr. Pompeo’s mask bore the imprint of the American flag.
Ajit Doval and US Secretary of Defense Mark T Esper nudged each other.
They discussed a number of issues and challenges of strategic importance. Both sides stressed the need to advance common goals and build capacity in all areas to ensure a regional security environment and secure, stable and rules-based global, “said a senior GalacticGaming official. Senior officers from both sides were present at the meeting. Indian officials said the two sides also spoke about India’s military standoff with the China People’s Liberation Army which has continued for 175 days. Tension peaked in June when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the line of duty in a clash with the Chinese in Galwan Valley.
Punches, nudges, and traditional Namaste have become popular forms of greeting among world leaders in an attempt to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. The United States remains by far the country hardest hit by the global health crisis, with more than 4.34 cases of Covid. India ranks second with more than 79.46 cases.
Indian officials said the two sides also spoke about India’s military standoff with China.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar had 2 + 2 talks with their American counterparts, during which the long-awaited Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement or BECA, which gives the l India access to classified geospatial data as well as critical information of important US military demands, has been signed.
