New Delhi, 29/5 (AO Bureau):External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his talks with top US officials on Saturday, described the Covid-19 epidemic and vaccines as important aspects and said that efforts to expand the production of vaccines in India with the help of America. being done. 66-year-old Jaishankar is the first Indian minister to visit the US under the Biden administration. On Friday, he met his counterpart Antony Blinken.
Jaishankar told a group of Indian journalists here after finishing most of his meetings, “The primary objective of the visit was apparently to strengthen ties with the new administration. This is a very important relationship. Also had to negotiate with senior ministers here. ”The foreign minister said,“ Due to the vaccine partnership between India and the United States, the conversation apparently included a reference to Covid-19. Also, there was a ‘quad’ based discussion on vaccines. This was also an important subject. In fact, I would say that was the most important topic in my discussion during the conversation.
Regarding getting the vaccine from America, Jaishankar said that many regulatory, legal and commercial aspects are being negotiated in this regard. The minister said that India has indicated that it is willing to take and import the vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration of America. He said, “President Joe Biden himself said that America will also be ready to send vaccines to India in certain numbers.”
Jaishankar met with his American counterpart Antony Blinken, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Trade Representatives Katherine Tai and Director of National Intelligence Department Avril Haines in the last two days. He also met officials of several administrative departments. He also spoke to the co-chairs of the India Caucus, senior members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives