EXCLUSIVE: Former US Secretary Mike Pompeo praises India's foreign policy, urges better bilateral ties

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM S. Jaishankar for promoting India’s interest on the global stage, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinted that the American government may take a more favourable stance for India if vis-a-vis Pakistan if Donald Trump returns to power.

“I share the Indian view (on Pakistan). We were very clear with respect to Pakistan. We took an approach that was very different from the Obama administration. We share not only the Indian view, but the global view on terrorism from from Pakistan, extremism that flows in from Afghanistan via Pakistan. These are very real issues the Indian people are right to address,” Mike Pompeo said in an exclusive interview with Firstpost during which he held forth on a wide range of international issues.

Pompeo on PM Modi’s foreign policy

When asked about his views on PM Modi and EAM Jaishankar, Pompeo harked back to his stint at the US State Department when Donald Trump was the US President.

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“I enjoyed working with them, mostly because they are incredibly professional and capable. They put India first. They are diligent about understanding the things the Indian people need. Foreign Minister Jaishankar is among my closest former colleagues. I did not work directly with the prime minister but we always knew we had a friend, someone who would vigorously defend their own interests,” Pompeo said.

“We did not always agree, but we had a good, responsible counterpart that was working on many of the same things we were to make life better for people of their own country and the world. I am so happy they are still there (in power),” he added.

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“They have continued a progression in India and now they are critically important global player. They a critically important economic partner for the US. India is taking its rightful place on the global stage. I as an American is counting on India to be a great partner for the US and tackle the threats for the next 50 years.”

Assessment of India-US ties

“I think the current administration has done a good job of continuing to build out the current relationship with India. The QUAD is an important security model for the region,” Pompeo opined.

“Me and EAM Jaishankar worked towards developing that as Covid was ripping through the world and this administration has continued to build upon that,” he added.

US role in Afghanistan

“I think what happened in Afghanistan, I think the Indian leadership saw as a failure for America. Towithdraw in that way and allow the Taliban to maraud in that way. I think took 13 American lives and the condition of Afghan women is just terrible,” he stated.

“The security risks to India, the region are greater. I think the India leadership recognise that as a US failure under this administration.”

On being Donald Trump’s running mate

Pompeo asserted that it is crucial for the US and the world that Donald Trump becomes the president again.

“There are a number of people who would do a wonderful job as his running mate. It is very important to the world that he is successful, that he runs a winning campaign and becomes president. Who is the vice-president is much less important,” he said.

“If I am offered a job, and I think I can serve America in some way, I would absolutely do it,” he added.

How should the next US administration approach Afghanistan?

“It is difficult now because the assets we had there are no longer ours. The risk from Afghanistan is greater today than three and a half years ago”, he said.

“The risk from Afghanistan is greater to Pakistan, to India and indeed to the US is greater now.”

On India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

“We should allow leaders in democratic nations a lot of latitude to model their country on a model that works for them. We should give them all kinds of space,” Pompeo said.

“India is quite capable of figuring that out themselves.”

Pompeo on Russia-Ukraine conflict

The ex-state secretary said the US should keep supporting Ukraine. “We should provide Ukrainians with what they need to defeat Valdimir Putin,” he said.

Should US ban TikTok?

Pompeo was asked whether the United States should ban Tiktok? To which he said: “You can’t have the Chinese Communist Party operating a propaganda machine inside of your country.”

China to be blame for COVID-19 pandemic?

The US’ former secretary of state was asked if China was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. To which he responded: “They hid the story, they disappeared journalists, doctors. India wouldn’t do this. America wouldn’t do this.”