Speaking with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed ways to enhance a free, open, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They also discussed the development of the US-India strategic alliance.
Sullivan and Mr. Jaishankar met on Tuesday at the White House, where he again brought up the turmoil in Ukraine. Mr. Jaishankar is in Washington for a four-day business trip.
In a tweet, Mr. Sullivan stated that he had met with the Indian External Affairs Minister, @DrSJaishankar, to “address our shared efforts to enhance the US-India strategic alliance, alleviate the effects of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
He and Mr. Jaishankar met “to review progress in the US-India strategic partnership and exchange views on global and regional priorities, including the implications of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its impact on food and energy insecurity throughout the world,” according to a readout from his office. They talked on “strategies to promoting debt sustainability and fostering a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” according to the statement. The US, India, and several other world powers have been discussing a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific in light of China’s increasing military maneuvering.
Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all have territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, but China claims almost all of it.
Beijing has erected military outposts and artificial islands in the South China Sea.
According to Mr. Jaishankar, they talked about the war in Ukraine and its effects, the situation in the Indo-Pacific, South Asia, and the Gulf.
“Nice to meet you, @JakeSullivan46, US National Security Advisor. Discussed the Indo-Pacific situation, South Asia, and the Gulf, as well as the Ukraine war and its effects. We discussed how to confront the present economic turbulence throughout the world,” he tweeted.
India has not yet denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has insisted that diplomacy and communication are the only ways to find a solution to the problem.
The minister met with the foreign minister of Papua New Guinea earlier in the day, Justin Tkatchenko. The Pacific Islands and our continuous collaboration were discussed. Discussed the project’s upcoming phases in the coming days,” he said.
