What Did EAM Jaishankar Discuss with US Secretary of State Rubio in Canada?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EAM Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Rubio in Canada.
- Discussions centered on trade relations and global security.
- India's participation in G7 reflects its commitment to international collaboration.
- The meeting emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Trump's remarks indicate a promising India-US trade agreement.
Washington, Nov 12 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar conducted a bilateral discussion with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, taking place during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Canada.
EAM Jaishankar shared on X, “It was great to meet @SecRubio this morning at #G7 FMM. I appreciate his condolences regarding the tragic loss of lives in the Delhi blast. We engaged in discussions about our bilateral relationship, with an emphasis on trade and supply chains. We also exchanged insights regarding the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Middle East/West Asia, and matters concerning the Indo-Pacific.”
The day prior, Jaishankar participated in a series of bilateral discussions with counterparts from Canada, Mexico, France, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
India is attending the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as an invited partner under Canada’s presidency, alongside nations such as Brazil, Australia, and South Korea.
This two-day event centers around global security, economic resilience, energy cooperation, and the enhancement of partnerships within the Indo-Pacific region.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs indicated that Jaishankar’s visit symbolizes India’s “ongoing commitment” to collaborate with global partners.
“EAM’s presence at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting signifies India’s enduring commitment to address international challenges and amplifying the voice of the Global South within global forums,” it continued.
Jaishankar’s conversation with Rubio follows remarks from US President Donald Trump, who indicated that the US is nearing a trade agreement with India.
“We are finalizing a deal with India, which is significantly different from previous agreements…We are striving for a fair deal. I believe we are quite close to reaching an agreement that benefits all parties,” Trump stated on Monday.
Trump made these comments during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor, the next US ambassador to India.
He also mentioned his “excellent relationship with Prime Minister Modi,” asserting that India stands as one of America’s most “significant international partnerships.”
“I trust Sergio to help fortify one of our most critical international partnerships, and that is the strategic alliance with the Republic of India. This is significant. India is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations and the largest country globally… We enjoy a wonderful relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and Sergio has only strengthened that bond, given his existing rapport with the Prime Minister,” he added.