Jaishankar meets top US officials, discusses Covid-19 vaccines, Quad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 28

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met several top US Cabinet Ministers, lawmakers and officials to discuss developments pertaining to the Quad, Indo-US cooperation on Covid-19 vaccines and Afghanistan on Thursday.

Jaishankar also interacted with members of US-India Business Council and the US Global Task Force on Pandemic Relief.

On Friday, Jaishankar began the day with a meeting with his counterpart and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Jaishankar is in the US to sort out several issues relating to import of vaccine and related raw materials from the US as well as partnership to counter security related issues involving China which affect both countries.

The Minister met US NSA Jake Sullivan and discussed Afghanistan among other issues. After meeting US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Jaishankar welcomed her “positive stance’’ in supporting a joint India and South Africa proposal at WTO to waive intellectual property rights (IPR) on Covid vaccines and related items to enable their cheaper availability and manufacturing in developing countries. The Minister also met the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin whom he had also met in March.

Among lawmakers, Jaishankar interacted with Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Congressman Gregory Meeks and a ranking member, Congressman Michael McCaul. The Minister also had a “good conversation’’ with the co-chairs of the House India Caucus, Brad Sherman (Democrat) and Steve Chabot (Republican).