This resource tracked statements, developments, visits, and other interactions in US-Indo-Pacific relations under the President Trump administration. Special focus was given to the comments and activities of President Donald J. Trump; Vice President Mike Pence; United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer; Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Jr.; former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; former Secretary of Defense James Mattis; and former Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark Esper.
The Trump Administration & US - Indo-Pacific Relations
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Secretary Pompeo With Shekhar Gupta of The Print
"QUESTION: We’ve kept you busy, Secretary, in Delhi – what, 18 hours – on 19 hours, and I know that you’ve heard the word “China” more times than you can count. Now, we know that China is knocking at our doorsteps and that’s a clear and present issue. But what is there to this relationship that goes beyond the China problem?
SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. So, many things. This was a good relationship long before the Chinese Communist Party started causing as much trouble as they’re…
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U.S. Secretaries of Defense and State, Indian Ministers of Defense and External Affairs Provide Remarks at the Beginning of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"SECRETARY MIKE POMPEO: Thank you very much. It’s an honor to be here with you (inaudible) for the third 2+2 (inaudible) all three. Our friendship and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific was clearly, clearly highly on display when we were in Tokyo this past week and a half for the Quad meeting that Minister Jaishankar and I had with our Australian and Japanese friends earlier this month.
Today is real opportunity for two great democracies like ours to grow closer, as I said…
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh Joint Press Availability at the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"SECRETARY ESPER: Minister Singh, Minister Jaishankar, Secretary Pompeo, it is great to be here in New Delhi and for the four of us to meet and to discuss the important issues of the day and indeed the important issues of the future.
As the world confronts a global pandemic and growing security challenges, the United States-India partnership is more important than ever to ensure security, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world.
Fifteen years after the conclusion of the first U.S.-India Defense Framework…
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Joint Statement on the Third U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
"India’s Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper to New Delhi for the third annual U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The Ministers welcomed the elevation of the U.S.-India relationship to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership during the visit of President Donald J. Trump to India in February 2020. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-India partnership, anchored in mutual trust and friendship…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, jointly with Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper, met today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the warm and close relationship between our countries, which is rooted in our vibrant democratic traditions and fostered by strong ties between our citizens. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Modi discussed several issues of regional and global concern on which the United States and India collaborate, including COVID-19 response, security and defense…
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Readout of Secretary Esper's Bilateral Engagement With India Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
"Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met today with Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh ahead of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi, India. Secretary Esper and Minister Singh applauded the strength of the defense relationship between the United States and India, and reinforced their commitment to deepening military-to-military cooperation, including joint-service cooperation; increasing secure communications capabilities; and enhancing mutual logistics engagements. Secretary Esper and Minister Singh commended the conclusion of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement during the visit, and welcomed the…
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Joint Statement Regarding Secretary Esper's Meeting With Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto
"Today, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper met with Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto at the Pentagon to discuss regional security, bilateral defense priorities, and defense acquisitions. Secretary Esper communicated the importance of upholding human rights, the rule of law, and professionalization as the two countries expand their engagement. Minister Subianto expressed the importance of military engagement at all levels, and communicated his appreciation for the United States' support for Indonesia’s defense modernization. Both leaders shared their desire to enhance bilateral military-to-military activities…
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Joint Communique of the 52nd U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting
"1. The 52nd United States (U.S.)-Republic of Korea (ROK) Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Washington, D.C., on October 14, 2020. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and ROK Minister of National Defense Suh Wook led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. On October 13, 2020, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and ROK Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Won In-choul, presided over the 45th U.S.-ROK Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
2…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Quad Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi, Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Payne
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne to reaffirm collective Quad efforts to advance a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. In regard to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants discussed ways to deepen cooperation to create resilient supply chains, promote transparency, counter disinformation, and advance shared efforts to support a post-pandemic recovery.
The participants also reviewed recent strategic developments across the Indo-Pacific and…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met today with Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on the margins of the United States-India-Australia-Japan Quadrilateral Consultations. Secretary Pompeo and Minister Jaishankar discussed ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation on topics of international concern. They reaffirmed the strength of the United States-India relationship, reviewed our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and asserted the need to work together to advance peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe. The Secretary and the Minister agreed…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne today in Tokyo, Japan on the sidelines of the U.S.-Australia-India-Japan Ministerial (“the Quad”). Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Payne emphasized the importance of the Quad discussions to the promotion of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed their shared concerns regarding the People’s Republic of China’s malign activity in the region. Secretary Pompeo thanked Foreign Minister Payne for Australia’s leadership and coordination as a…
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Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga today in Tokyo, Japan. The Secretary and the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister Suga also highlighted that our Alliance is built on a common foundation of a long –standing commitment to democracy, human rights, economic development, security, and people-to-people ties."