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US-India security cooperation deepened over last year: Envoy
New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Security cooperation between India and the US expanded and deepened over the last one year while bilateral trade and investment has reached new heights, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said on Monday.
“The ties between our countries continue to grow stronger in so many ways,” Juster said in a video message posted on his Twitter handle on the occasion of the completion of his first year as envoy to India.
He recalled his remarks in January shortly after his arrival when he said that the US and India “are on the path to forming an enduring partnership” during the 21st century.
“Our security cooperation has expanded and deepened,” he said.
“This was highlighted at the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi in September when we signed a major communications and security agreement known as COMCASA.”
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis participated in the first ever India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue during which the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) was signed.
COMCASA guarantees India access to critical US defence technologies and communication networks to help the militaries of the two countries in their interoperability.
“Our levels of bilateral trade and investment have reached new heights,” Juster said.
“We showcased the US and India as leaders in innovation and technology at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) last November.”
At the GES, which was held in Hyderabad in November 2017, the US was represented by President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump.
Juster said that India and the US launched a strategic energy dialogue and enhanced cooperation in aviation and railroad transportation.
He said the two sides celebrated the 18th anniversary of the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum “and continue to do promising work in the health care and agriculture sectors”.
“The US and India work together on regional connectivity in South Asia and peace-keeping in Africa.
“All these are part of our broader coordination to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
India and the US are part of a quad, also comprising Japan and Australia, that was revived last year seeking to work together in the Indo-Pacific, a region that stretches from the eastern coast of Japan to the eastern coast of Africa.
This came amid China’s increasing influence in the region.
Juster that all of these efforts were built on the foundation of “extraordinary people-to-people ties between our two countries and the dedication and cooperation of our Indian partners.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.