West Asia crisis, Indo-Pacific key topics in Jaishankar’s talks with Blinken

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, says Jaishankar.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s dialogue with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 10 focused on strengthening strategic ties and the Hamas-Israel crisis.

The meeting took place ahead of the fifth edition of the India-US ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue.  In a post on ‘X’, Jaishankar described the talks with his US counterpart as “open and productive”.

Jaishankar said, “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.”

He underscored the comprehensive nature of the discussions, particularly the Indo-Pacific as members of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and ongoing conflict in West Asia, calling it a “big concern”.

Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold the annual “two-plus-two” India-US talks with Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. A number of strategic, defence and technology issues are expected to be discussed at the meeting.

Also read: US-India 2+2 Summit: Biden-Modi ministers have much to discuss

India is part of the Quad alliance with the United States, Australia and Japan. The informal grouping brings together these nations in an alliance of democracies with shared economic and security interests that span the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

“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 United States on the Indo-Pacific, our region for the future, the future is actually now, and we’re building it together with India,” he said.

Also read: US to press India on countering China more in Asian waterways

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Blinken’s visit will give a further boost to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“A warm welcome to U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as he arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 5th India-US 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue. The visit will give a further boost to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership!” Bagchi said in a social media post on X.