NSA, McMaster commit themselves to working together to “combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats.”

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his United States counterpart H.R. McMaster committed themselves to working together to “combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats,” a U.S administration official said after a meeting between the two on Friday. Mr. Doval met U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly also during his three-day visit to the U.S. capital.

The focus of Mr. Doval’s meetings was terrorism but the security situation in India’s neighbourhood, including Afghanistan and maritime security issues in the Indian Ocean, also featured, according to Indian officials. “The new administration has taken a very strong view on terrorism. That is something that is good for the entire world as this will lead to a more united approach to tackling terrorism,” the official said. The discussions between Mr. Doval and American interlocutors covered the Islamist terrorism and cross-border terrorism specifically targeting India, he said. Tensions in the South China Sea (SCS) also figured in the talks. The officials spoke on broad objectives and areas of common of interests between the two countries, and there is continuity on all fronts of cooperation between the two countries, according to the Indian assessment.

Needed: dialogue

"No relationship can stay static as it either declines or grows," Mr. Mattis said ahead of his meeting with Mr. Doval. “Democracies like ours need this sort of dialogue. We had a strengthening of the relationship over the last several years. No relationship stays the same, either decline or get better, they get stronger. Intent here today is to continue to strengthen the relationship and make sure that it gets stronger every year,” he said.

Agreeing with Mr. Mattis, Mr. Doval said both countries should keep having incremental improvement, and find out in what ways ties can be strengthened “for making the world more safe, more stable.” “With the new administration here we are very hopeful that it will further strengthen,” he said.

Mr. Mattis “specifically applauded India’s efforts to promote stability in the South Asia region,” a Pentagon spokesperson said after the meeting. “Both leaders reaffirmed building upon the significant defence cooperation progress made in recent years,” he said