External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a community event at India House in Washington, DC, expressed that the India-US relationship is currently at its peak. He emphasized the high level of trust in this bilateral relationship, comparing it to the Chandrayaan mission, suggesting it could reach even greater heights. Jaishankar credited the success of the G20 to Indian presidency and all its members but also thanked the US publicly for its support during the summit, particularly in terms of flexibility on language around Ukraine.
Jaishankar highlighted the significant role played by the Indian diaspora in strengthening ties between the two countries, pointing out their increasing numbers, economic contributions, and influence in the US. He praised the deep human bond between India and the US, which goes beyond political, business, military, and cultural ties.
The minister discussed the remarkable changes happening in India, including achievements in space missions, international diplomacy, and technology. He emphasized the importance of trust in international partnerships and noted the uniqueness of the trust quotient in the India-US relationship.
Jaishankar also mentioned various joint initiatives and partnerships between the two nations, such as the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Indo-Pacific strategy. He reflected on the progress made in the relationship since the early 1980s when it was challenging to access the US Congress and there were no Indian-American members.
The minister concluded by underscoring Mahatma Gandhi’s message of doing the right thing and leaving no one behind, which he believed underpinned India’s G20 presidency and the values shared by India and the US. He expressed his desire to recognize publicly in Washington the US’s contribution and support in making the G20 a success. Jaishankar ended on an optimistic note, suggesting that the India-US relationship, like the Chandrayaan mission, could reach even greater heights.
