Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Washington on September 29 and is set to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 1 where a range of bilateral and global issues will be on the agenda.
This marks his first visit to the US capital since the Modi Government was re-elected for a third consecutive term.
Among the key topics expected to be discussed are the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.
During his stay, in addition to his meeting with Blinken, Jaishankar will also engage with other high-ranking officials from the US administration, as well as members of the Cabinet.
His itinerary includes an interaction with the think tank community, notably a session hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), where he will discuss the future of US-India relations.
The CEIP, a globally recognised nonpartisan think tank with a focus on international affairs, operates across various regions, including Europe, South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, and the US.
Jaishankar will join CEIP President Mariano Florentino Cuellar in a conversation focused on the evolving strategic partnership between the US and India.
The think tank underscored India’s increasing global strategic importance, particularly in shaping US foreign policy.
Citing PM Modi’s state visit to the US in 2023 and his more recent bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden, CEIP highlighted how these interactions demonstrate the growing significance of US-India ties.
On September 30, President Biden hosted PM Modi at his residence in Greenville, Delaware, where both leaders discussed an array of regional and global issues.