Hoping to put Pakistan on grey list, India eyes FATF tango with US

NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri discussed ways to deepen economic and financial ties with the US, including collaboration in international financial institutions and coordination in the upcoming Financial Action Task Force ( FATF ) processes, during his visit to Washington, said the Indian government.

This is important in the context of ongoing efforts by India to get Pakistan back into the global terror watchdog's grey list by flagging its involvement in terror-financing in the FATF meeting in June. Misri discussed the issue with deputy secretary of the treasury Michael Faulkender.

Misri's visit to the US was a follow-up to PM Modi's visit to the country on Feb 13 this year, during which both sides launched the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership , Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century.

In meetings with deputy secretary of defense Steve Feinberg and under secretary for policy Elbridge Colby, both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to a robust and forward-looking defense partnership. Discussions focused on co-production and co-development initiatives, sustained joint military exercises, logistics and information-sharing frameworks, and enhancing interoperability between the armed forces.

At a luncheon meeting with deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau, both sides reviewed the full spectrum of the bilateral agenda.

India and the US also reviewed progress on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement , cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and the need to streamline ITAR and export control regulations.