Foreign Secretary meets US Deputy Secy of State Wendy Sherman, takes up security, Indo-Pacific

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Washington, November 8

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has met US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman here and discussed the India-US ties and ways to advance their bilateral security and regional cooperation, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine.

The meeting took place hours before External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

During the meeting on Monday, Sherman underscored the US’ commitment to the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

“They also discussed ways to improve regional and multilateral coordination, including via the Quad partnership in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

The Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, was formed in 2017 to counter China’s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders also “reaffirmed our shared commitment to democratic principles, regional security and prosperity, and strengthening people-to-people ties,” Price said.

“Great meeting Indian Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra to discuss #USIndia relations and advance our security and regional cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific region and the world,” Sherman tweeted.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China’s rising military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.

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

Kwatra is on an official trip to the city. He arrived in Washington DC from New York on Sunday night.