Tillerson visit to strengthen Indo-US partnership: MEA

New Delhi, Oct 25: India on Wednesday asserted that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's ongoing visit to India will help "strengthen" strategic partnership between two countries. "Strengthening strategic partnership. EAM @SushmaSwaraj welcomes US Secretary of State Tillerson, his first India visit as Secretary of State," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted. After his interaction with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here, Mr Tillerson will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold crucial round of talks. Mr Tillerson arrived here on Tuesday evening on his maiden three-day visit with prior hints that Washington wants to give greater role to New Delhi in its Afghanistan policy. The visit of the US Secretary of State assumes special significance as it comes days before US President Donald Trump kicks off his China visit early next month. The Trump Administration has shown clear preference to New Delhi vis-a-vis other Asian powers especially China. Mr Tillerson paid an unscheduled visit to Afghanistan capital Kabul on Monday and also held talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He also visited Pakistan on Tuesday. The MEA spokesman last week has welcomed Mr Tillerson's statement made at a think tank meet in Washington vis-a-vis enhanced ties between two countries. 'Secretary Tillerson has made a significant policy statement on India-US relations and its future. He brought out its various strengths and highlighted our shared commitment to a rule-based international order. We appreciate his positive evaluation of the relationship and share his optimism about its future directions," he has said. UNI