PM Modi may meet US defence secretary Mattis at Shangri-La Dialogue

PM Modi may meet US defence secretary Jim Mattis during the Shangri-La Dialogue, reports said.

On Thursday, Mattis had announced that the Pacific Command would now be renamed United States Indo-Pacific Command, boosting ties with the Modi government.

The meeting with Modi if it transpires would be crucial with developments taking place in the region with China's territorial claim in the South China Sea and the impending talks between Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un.

Mattis had recently spoken in favour of US waiver for India with regard to its procurement of Russian S-400 Triumf air defence system. Under the latest US act passed by the Trump administration, countries which trade with Russia on arms and ammunition would be barred from business with the United States.

Meanwhile, in Singapore PM Modi received the ceremonial welcome at the Istana, the office of the president of the Republic of Singapore with the PM of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong also present during the ceremony.

The Indian prime minister also met  Singapore president Halimah Yacob at the Istana as he prepares to deliver his keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue.