EAM Jaishankar, who is visiting the United States from December 24 to 29, 2024, is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior members of the outgoing Biden administration. In Washington DC, he is also expected to interact with key members of the new Trump administration. The visit is the first high-level engagement between India and the United States following Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential elections earlier this year.
“Delighted to meet US National Security Advisor @JakeSullivan46 in Washington DC this morning. A wide-ranging discussion on the progress of the India-US strategic partnership. We also exchanged views on the developments current regional and global,” he said in a post on social media platform X.
In addition to his bilateral engagements, EAM Jaishankar will also chair a conference of Consuls General of India in the United States.
EAM Jaishankar had earlier asserted that India-US relations would only “grow” regardless of the outcome of the US presidential elections.
In response to a question during a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra on November 5, 2024, he highlighted the steady growth in bilateral relations over the past five US presidencies, including that of Trump. Regarding the Quad, EAM Jaishankar said it was revived under the previous Trump presidency in 2017.
“We have actually seen a steady progression in our relationship with the United States over the last five presidencies, including a previous Trump presidency. So when we look at the American election, we are very confident that whatever the verdict, our relationship with the United States will only grow,” he said when asked about the possibility of Trump winning the election in the United States.
On the other hand, congratulating his “friend” Trump for his “historic electoral victory” in the US presidential elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he looks forward to renewing collaboration between the two countries to further strengthen the strategic partnership and comprehensive global coverage between India and the United States.
