Jaishankar meets US officials, discuss India-US partnership, TRIPS agreement

Washington DC, May 28: External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar on Thursday met US National Security Advisory Jake Sullivan and held wide-ranging discussions including, on Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan. During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed appreciation for US solidarity in addressing the Covid challenge. Javdekar underlined that the India-US vaccine partnership can make a real difference.

 

 

"Pleased to meet NSA @JakeSullivan46. Wide-ranging discussions including on Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan. Conveyed appreciation for US solidarity in addressing the Covid challenge. India-US vaccine partnership can make a real difference," Jaishankar tweeted.

 

 

Emily Horne, Spokesperson of the National Security Council, White House said, "They agreed that people-to-people ties and shared values are the foundation of the US-India strategic partnership that is helping to end the pandemic, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and providing global leadership on climate change."

 

 

As part of his five-day US visit, Jaishankar also met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. During the meeting both the leaders discussed the issues around the proposal by India to suspend the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement to help them produce vaccines to fight COVID-19.

 

 

 

"Our trade, technology & business cooperation are at the core of our strategic partnership. Enhancing them is vital to post-Covid economic recovery. Welcomed her positive stance on IPR issues & support for efficient & robust supply chains," the minister said.

 

Moreover, he also discussed with US India Business Council and US Global Task Force on Pandemic Relief. In the meeting, Jaishankar stressed the fact that a stronger India-US health partnership can be a powerful force to fight the pandemic.

 

 

 

He also appreciated the participation of CEOs of US companies from diverse business sectors, their support for India’s efforts to fight the pandemic, and the US industry's firm commitment to advance India-US trade, investment, and technology partnership. Besides, Minister also met Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

 

 

Moreover, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Friday.

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