Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a crucial meeting with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington DC to discuss the progress in bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to take it forward. This meeting follows Jaishankar’s recent address at the 78th General Assembly session of the United Nations and his arrival in Washington DC after departing from New York.
In a social media post, S Jaishankar shared his thoughts on the meeting, saying, “Began my Washington DC visit with a meeting with NSA @JakeSullivan46. Recognised the tremendous progress in our bilateral relationship this year and discussed taking it forward.”
While the details of the meeting have not been disclosed, this high-level engagement with US National Security Advisor underscores the significance of India-US relations. S Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, where they are expected to discuss various regional and global issues.
Additionally, the Indian External Affairs Minister will meet with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, highlighting the economic aspects of the bilateral relationship. This meeting holds particular importance as it marks the highest-level engagement between the two countries since the conclusion of the G-20 summit in New Delhi.
However, this meeting takes place amidst an ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada. The diplomatic tension escalated following the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the “potential” involvement of Indian government agents in Nijjar’s killing. India had previously designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020 and has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.”
While the meeting between S Jaishankar and Jake Sullivan was scheduled before the Canadian crisis, the US has been urging India to cooperate in the Canadian investigation. This diplomatic challenge adds complexity to the already intricate India-Canada relations.
In addition to his discussions with US officials, S Jaishankar is expected to engage with the Indian community, interact with think tanks, and connect with leaders from the corporate sector during his visit to the United States. This multifaceted engagement underscores the importance of fostering robust ties between the two nations and addressing global challenges through diplomatic dialogue.