India and the US resolved to strengthen trade ties by addressing issues of both sides, deepening defence cooperation through various pacts, including the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, and pro-actively address thorny issues such as import of oil from Iran, at the first 'Indo-US 2+2 dialogue' on Thursday.

"In our meeting today, we also agreed to work together to secure India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group at the earliest," said Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, in a statement to the media after the meeting.

US Secretary of State, Michael R Pompeo, and US Defence Secretary, James N Mattis, met their Indian counterparts Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the first '2+2' dialogue in New Delhi, which would next be held in the US next year.

Swaraj also stressed on the importance of a more stable H1B visa regime for Indian professionals in the US. "I sought Secretary Pompeo’s support to nurture our people-to-people links. Specifically, I conveyed our expectation for a non-discriminatory and predictable approach to the H1B visa regime, given its high impact on innovation, competitiveness and people-to-people partnership, all of which are a vital source of strength for our relationship," she said in her media address.

According to the joint statement, the two sides signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that will facilitate access to advanced defence systems and enable India to optimally utilise its existing US-origin platforms. The Ministers also announced their readiness to begin negotiations on an Industrial Security Annex (ISA) that would support closer defence industry cooperation and collaboration.

Recognising the importance and the potential for increasing bilateral trade, investment, innovation, and job creation in both countries, both sides committed to further expanding and balancing the trade and economic partnership consistent with their leaders’ 2017 joint statement, including by facilitating trade, improving market access, and addressing issues of interest to both sides.

"In this regard, both sides welcomed the ongoing exchanges between the Ministry of Commerce of India and the Office of the United States Trade Representative and hoped for mutually acceptable outcomes," the statement said.

Sources in the government said the issue of India’s continued oil imports from Iran in the light of the US sanctions kicking in from November, was also discussed by the leaders.

"India pointed out all its sensitivities in the area, including the fact that Iran was a reliable source of cheap oil for the country. The discussions are a work in progress," the official said.

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