External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently engaged in a dialogue with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New Delhi. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening the strategic ties and defense partnership between India and the United States. Mr. Blinken’s visit to India aims at gaining support for the US’ stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
In addition to Mr. Jaishankar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will also participate in the annual “two-plus-two” India-US talks, along with Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The discussions will primarily center around defense and security cooperation.
India is a part of the Quad alliance, along with the United States, Australia, and Japan. This alliance positions itself as a bulwark against China’s increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. The US hopes that a stronger defense relationship with India will help reduce India’s dependence on Russia, which is currently its primary military supplier.
After his meeting with Mr. Jaishankar, Blinken expressed his delight in being in India and stated, “We are building a remarkable year of engagement. We have not only the strongest bilateral partnership we’ve ever had, but also a regional one, and indeed, a global one that was further evidenced by India’s leadership for the G20 this year.” He also emphasized the United States’ resolute focus on the Indo-Pacific region and its commitment to building it together with India.
Blinken’s visit to New Delhi follows his recent stop in South Korea and his participation in a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Japan, which aimed to find common ground on the Gaza conflict. The US Secretary of State is expected to discuss the Israel-Hamas war during the 2+2 meeting with Indian officials and seek India’s support for the US position on the matter.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza presents a significant challenge to the aspirations of establishing a crucial trade and transport route connecting Europe, the Middle East, and India. This proposal was unveiled during the G20 talks in Delhi in September.
The dialogue between Jaishankar and Blinken holds immense importance in strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and the United States, particularly in the areas of defense cooperation and strategic partnership.
