Jaishankar meets Antony Blinken, NSA Jake Sullivan amid strained India-Canada ties

Tribune News Service

Sandeep Dikshit

New Delhi, September 28

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and discussed taking forward the progress in bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussions, sources said, included the Ukraine conflict, the Indo-Pacific and rules to govern cooperation in high-tech sectors.

Taking forward partnership

Began my Washington DC visit with a meeting with NSA Jake Sullivan. Recognised the tremendous progress in our bilateral relationship this year and discussed taking it forward.

S Jaishankar

Jaishankar was closeted with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a meeting when reports last came in.

Great to meet my friend US Secretary of State @SecBlinken at State Department today.

A wide ranging discussion, following up on PM @narendramodi’s June visit. Also exchanged notes on global developments.

Laid the groundwork of our 2+2 meeting very soon. pic.twitter.com/mOw9SIX1dO

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 28, 2023

“Good to be back here,” Jaishankar said while appearing before the media along with Blinken ahead of the meeting. Officials from both sides, however, were tightlipped about the agenda of the meeting.

Jaishankar arrived in Washington on Wednesday to begin the second leg of his nine-day US visit. During the first leg in New York, he addressed the 78th UN General Assembly session and held several bilaterals. Jaishankar’s current visit has been overshadowed by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegation of a potential Indian link to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. However, he has a much wider palette, which includes taking forward decisions taken during PM Modi’s State visit to the US in June which was followed by a private dinner between the two leaders on the eve of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Sullivan a week back had said on the Nijjar issue that “regardless of the country, we will stand up and defend our basic principles and we will also consult closely with allies like Canada as they pursue their law enforcement and diplomatic process”. Blinken has said Washington is worried about the implications of a transnational crime and feel it is “important” for India to work with the Canadians on the investigation.

Jaishankar, on the other hand, has said India is open to looking at specific information provided by Canada.

Earlier in the day, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he did want to preview the conversations Blinken would have with Jaishankar. “... we have engaged with our Indian counterparts and encouraged them to cooperate with Canadian probe,” he observed.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#Antony Blinken #Canada #S Jaishankar #Ukraine