Indian EAM Meets US NSA Jake Sullivan; Duo Discuss Food Security, Info-Pacific And Other Global Issues

At the tail end of his 11 day visit to the US, the Indian EAM Jaishankar held talks with US NSA Jake Sullivan.

During the talk they assessed the progress in the US-India 'strategic partnership' along with exchanging views on global and regional issues. They also exchanged views on way to advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

They also discussed Ukraine war. Especially the war's impact on food security.

'Met today with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar to discuss our shared efforts to deepen the US-India strategic partnership, mitigate the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,' Sullivan said in a tweet.

According to a readout from Sullivan's office, Sullivan and 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 around the world.'

They discussed 'approaches to promoting debt sustainability and advancing a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,' the readout added.

Many nations, especially after the tension in the Taiwan strait, are discussing ways to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, to counter China's aggression in the region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Jaishankar stated that he discussed the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions, the Indo-Pacific situation, South Asia and the Gulf.

'Good to meet US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46. Discussed the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions, the Indo-Pacific situation, South Asia and the Gulf. Exchanged views on addressing the current global economic volatility,' he tweeted.

Due to India's dependence on Russian arms, Indian government has avoided outrightly condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine. Indian government maintains that the crisis needs to be resolved with 'diplomacy and dialogue'.

Earlier in the day, the minister met Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea. 'Spoke about our ongoing cooperation with the Pacific Islands. Discussed next steps for taking it forward in the coming days,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI.)