While discussing the preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington on 22 June, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan here on Wednesday also reviewed the security situation in the backdrop of cross-border terrorism in the region. Jaishankar and Sullivan took stock of the updates on the activities of terror outfits in Pakistan and Afghanistan, sources told The Daily Guardian.
In talks with NSA Ajit Doval a dayearlier, Sullivan had focused on the issues such as cross border terrorism and security issues in the Afghanistan and Pakistan region, sources said. Diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the security situation in Afghanistan will also be prominently on the agenda during PM Modi’s upcoming bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden.
Several global, regional and bilateral issues were discussed during talks between Jaishankar and Sullivan. All these issues are important in the context of PM Modi’s upcoming interactions with the US President and other officials of the White House.
The situation in the Ukraine as part of the “global” segment, China, and the Indo-Pacific also figured during the meeting between Jaishankar and Sullivan.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said: “Great to meet US NSA @jakesullivan46 in South Block today morning. Our conversation focused on preparing for PM @narendramodi’s upcoming US visit. “Also discussed global strategic developments from the perspective of our partnership.” Sullivan had arrived on a two-day visit to India on Tuesday on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. On Tuesday evening, he met Prime Minister Modi and conveyed President Joe Biden’s message that he looked forward to welcoming him on his forthcoming state visit scheduled from June 21-25. Modi’s visit is on an invitation by Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Sources said that Jaishankar and Jake Sullivan reviewed the progress in the US-India strategic partnership and exchanged views on global and regional issues, including approaches to advance a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Sullivan is accompanied by a delegation of senior US government officials and leaders of US industry during his visit. His visit to the national capital comes in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to the US.