India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday over a telephonic conversation committed to “consolidate and expand” the India-US strategic partnership and reiterated commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
A statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) read, “Jaishankar and Blinken expressed their commitment to consolidate and expand the multi-faceted strategic partnership. They appreciated the robust defense and security ties, growing economic engagement, productive health-care collaboration, and strong people-to-people linkages as its important pillars.” MEA stated that the two also discussed challenges of a post-pandemic world, agreed to focus on global issues including safe and affordable vaccine supply and also restated their commitment to peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken and Jaishankar discussed issues of common concern, including Covid-19 vaccination efforts, regional developments, and next steps in expanding bilateral ties.
Blinken’s call with Jaishankar is the third high-level contact between India and the new Biden administration. As we have reported earlier, On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh while India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval talked to his American counterpart, Jake Sullivan.
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