US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Prasad in Washington and had a talk about several issues which extends to Covid-19 relief measures, efforts to further enhance the Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad, according to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price’s statement on Friday.
Quad is a security alliance among the four countries – India, the US, Australia, and Japan. On a five-day US visit, Jaishankar met US Secretary of State, which marks his first official visit after President Biden took charge of the office.
Regarding the meeting, Blinken tweeted, “Productive discussion today with @DrSJaishankar on regional security and economic priorities to include US Covid-19 relief efforts, India-China border situation, and our support for Afghanistan. As friends, we will work together to address these areas of shared concern.”
In an official statement, Ned Price said, “Secretary of State Antony J Blinken welcomed Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to the Department of State, where he reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to deepening the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.”
The statement further added, “Secretary Blinken and Jaishankar discussed a broad range of issues, including Covid-19 relief, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad, and a shared commitment to combating the climate crisis and enhancing multilateral cooperation, including at the UN Security Council.”
Blinken while addressing the reporters, earlier had asserted that India and the US stand together to confront Covid-19.
The leaders also deliberated on regional developments, the military coup in Myanmar, and further giving support to Afghanistan.
The statement added, “Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar also discussed regional developments, the coup in Burma, and continuing support for Afghanistan. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar pledged to continue their cooperation on shared economic and regional security priorities.”
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