This was the highest-level interaction of Mattis with a top Indian official after assuming office
Jim Mattis specifically applauded India's efforts to promote stability in the South Asia region
This was Doval's second trip to the US after Donald Trump won the presidential elections
The meeting was meant to discuss measures aimed at improving the bilateral relations that have been under strain
Doval, who is a close aide of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is not known to attend these gala events
Doval is in the US to attend the Nuclear Security Summit this week