NEW DELHI, Oct 6: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday held talks with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman during which they discussed the Afghanistan situation and reiterated their commitment for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The talks come days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit during which he held the first in-person bilateral talks with President Joe Biden. Both the leaders said the India-US relationship is set to get stronger and closer.
Foreign Secretary Shringla and US Deputy Secretary of State Sherman held talks on taking forward the strategic partnership for global good as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
They took stock of bilateral issues ranging from Covid-19, security and defense, economic, climate and clean energy and people to people linkages. The two discussed issues of regional interest, especially the evolving situation in Afghanistan, as well as developments at the UN.
They reiterated commitment for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, including through continued cooperation under the Quad, he posted. Wendy Sherman arrived on Tuesday evening on a three-day visit to India.
Her meeting with Foreign Secretary Shringla was to review the India-US bilateral agenda and outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the USA.
She is also slated to call on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The India-US joint statement issued after the Modi-Biden talks, said: “Reflecting shared values and principles, and growing strategic convergence, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi resolved to advance the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, and looked forward to what the United States and India will achieve together.” (UNI)
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