S Jaishankar meets Antony Blinken to deepen US-India ties, discuss global challenges

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday in Washington, DC, during his first visit to the US capital since the third Modi government assumed office. The meeting, held at the State Department's Foggy Bottom headquarters, focused on deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing global challenges.

"Delighted to hold talks with @SecBlinken today in Washington DC," Jaishankar shared on X. "Our discussions covered deepening bilateral cooperation, the situation in West Asia, recent developments in the Indian subcontinent, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine." Jaishankar’s visit followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden in Delaware on September 21. The Quad Leaders’ Summit, also held in Delaware, brought together leaders from Australia, Japan, the US, and India.

Blinken echoed the sentiments of strengthened US-India ties, stating that both nations are collaborating closely to tackle global issues. He highlighted cooperation on climate change, regional security, and advancing critical technologies. "The warmth of the recent meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reflects the growing ambition in our relationship," Blinken remarked. Discussions between Jaishankar and Blinken also touched on clean energy initiatives and promoting global stability. Blinken reaffirmed the US's support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, referencing Modi’s visit to Kyiv.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar participated in a discussion at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, emphasizing India’s growing role in global diplomacy. The talks solidified the enduring partnership between the two nations, with a focus on strategic technology, space, semiconductors, and clean energy, setting the stage for future collaboration that benefits both countries and the world.