Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; discussions on bilateral, global issues expected

Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale is set to meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday, during which two officials are likely to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest.

Vijay Gokhale arrived in United States on Sunday in connection with bilateral Foreign Office Consultation and Strategic Security Dialogue with his American counterparts, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson.

RE: Connectivity Initiatives Must Promote Tre, t Tension: Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale

While his US trip was scheduled much before February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred in a drastic suicide terror attack by Pak-backed Jaish-e-Mohamm, Gokhale's meeting with Pompeo and his counterparts in Washington this week is expected to gain media spotlight in view of escalated tension between India and Pakistan in aftermath of air strike at a terrorist camp deep inside Pakistan and subsequent developments.

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district.

In aftermath of Pulwama terror attack which took place on February 14, Indian forces h vowed to avenge deaths of 40 CRPF soldiers. In a major development on Tuesday, February 26, Indian Air Force struck down biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohamm in Balakot and or parts of Pakistan, 12 days after  Pulwama terror attack.

RE: As India Strikes Pakistan-based JeM Launchps, Here's How Indian Security Forces Vowed Revenge Post Pulwama Terror Attack

(With ncy inputs)