Opportunity to improve bilateral ties: Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his American counterpart Antony Blinken on the margins of the G20 meeting of foreign ministers.”Pleased to meet US Secretary of State Blinken on the G20FMM sidelines. Opportunity to review bilateral ties and discuss global issues,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.
Blinken cancelled a mission to Beijing after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew over the United States, prompting his visit to New Delhi.
Pleased to meet US Secretary of State @SecBlinken on #G20FMM sidelines.
Opportunity to review bilateral ties and discuss global issues. pic.twitter.com/ABlE2sQBT2
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 2, 2023
Antony Blinken stated in a tweet that his visit to Delhi had two objectives.
“First, to ensure that the G20, with India at the helm, advances our shared objectives, and second, to demonstrate how the United States and its partners are acting to satisfy the world’s needs. We accomplished both, “he added.
I went to the #G20 today with two imperatives: First, to ensure that the G20 — with India at the helm — advances our shared goals, and second, to demonstrate how the U.S., together with our partners, is acting to meet the needs of the world. We succeeded at both. pic.twitter.com/IKhOOqkePy
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 2, 2023
Jaishankar and Blinken were anticipated to discuss the India-US strategic partnership, the G20, the Asian Quad, defence cooperation, and the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies, which is administered by the White House and the office of the prime minister.
In addition to the G20 member nations, the foreign ministers of nine guest nations are present at the meeting: Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.
The foreign ministers are also likely to discuss strategies for dealing with declining economic growth, rising inflation, declining demand for products and services, and rising food, fuel, and fertiliser prices.
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Nonetheless, the Ukraine conflict is anticipated to be the main flashpoint between the West and the Russia-China alliance, while India is expected to make all-out efforts for a joint statement following the crucial meeting.