External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in "an open and productive discussion" with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
The talks encompassed the strengthening of strategic ties between New Delhi and Washington, as well as discussions on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and regional matters, including the geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. This meeting preceded the fifth edition of the India-US 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue.
“Pleased to meet with Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning. An open and productive conversation on further developing our strategic partnership,” Jaishankar posted on X.
"This visit has a particular significance because we need to follow up on PM Modi's June visit and President Biden's September visit. This is a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, so we take a broader view of what we are doing."
The Minister highlighted that the discussions extended to West Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and various regional issues. Emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the talks, special attention was given to the Indo-Pacific region, where India, along with the US, Australia, and Japan, forms the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue).
The ongoing conflict in West Asia was also a significant point of concern during the discussions, underscoring the complex and interconnected geopolitical challenges facing the nations involved. The QUAD alliance aims to address and counter China's assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region.
"It is always wonderful to be here in India. We are building a remarkable year of engagement. We have not only the strongest bilateral partnership we've ever had, but also a regional one, and indeed, a global one that was further evidenced by India's leadership for the G20 this year," Blinken said after meeting Jaishankar.
"We have a lot to do, including with our defence colleagues. I think it's further evidence of our resolute focus for the US on the Indo-Pacific, our region for the future, the future is actually now, and we're building it together with India," he said.
Jaishankar and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are set to engage in the annual 2+2 India-US talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who arrived in Delhi on Thursday.
Both nations are in the process of negotiating deals, including the supply and manufacture of engines for Indian fighter jets, MQ-9 predator drones, and semiconductor manufacturing, as per insider sources.
These discussions are anticipated to build upon the previous talks that occurred during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington in June and President Joe Biden's trip for the G20 summit in September.
The ongoing dialogue underscores the commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing key strategic and defense-related matters between India and the United States.
(With Agency Inputs)
