India and the United States, the world’s two largest democracies, share a broad relationship that goes beyond mere bilateral gains, impacting the rest of the world, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Both countries have recognized the significant potential of their relationship and see plenty of opportunities for growth.
During his four-day official trip to the American capital, Jaishankar emphasized that the India-US relationship is not limited to mutual benefit but has global implications, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout his visit, Jaishankar met with various American officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, as well as lawmakers like Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Ami Bera.
Jaishankar also engaged with the American business community, describing his visit as productive and comfortable.
He highlighted the importance of the India-US partnership in addressing global challenges, noting the alignment in their perspectives despite some differences in priorities.
Overall, Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the current state of India-US relations, citing positive developments in trade, political exchanges, and student interactions.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the need to further enhance collaboration, particularly in areas like science, technology, research, and critical technologies.
India has offered assistance to the US in addressing visa backlogs, a matter that Jaishankar raised during his meeting with Secretary Blinken.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, Jaishankar expressed confidence in improved cooperation between the two countries to resolve visa-related challenges.
Despite the world economy facing multiple stressors, including energy costs, food security, trade disruptions, and debt concerns, Jaishankar noted the enthusiasm and sincerity displayed by American officials in addressing these issues.
