EAM Jaishankar, US State Secy Blinken Hold Talks On Sidelines Of Security Conference

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday in Munich and held talks on the sidelines of the ongoing security conference in the German capital.

The talks between the two leaders centred on the ongoing situation in West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.

Taking to his official handle on social media platform X, the EAM posted, "Great to meet my friend US @SecBlinken this afternoon on MSC 2024 sidelines."

"Our talk centered on the situation in West Asia, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific. Reviewed the continuing progress in our bilateral ties," he added.

Meanwhile, Blinken, before meeting with his Indian counterpart, Jaishankar, lauded India-US ties and underscored the 'extraordinary' partnership between the two countries that he said has grown stronger and stronger in recent years.

"We have an extraordinary partnership between the United States and India that has grown stronger and stronger in recent years, stronger than it's ever been, and it is for us among the most consequential relationships of any in the world," Secretary of State Blinken said.

"We're working closely on a whole host of vital priorities that are making a difference in the lives of people in India and people in the United States: increasing mutual prosperity, advancing democracy and human rights, addressing climate change, upholding together the rules-based international order," an official release by the US State Department quoted Blinken as saying further.

Jaishankar added that it was important for 'complicated issues' to be addressed in an effective manner.

In his remarks, before the meeting with Blinken, the EAM said, "Tony, good to see you, and there's a lot that we need to talk about. I'm coming out of the Middle East, myself, been monitoring your travels and efforts there. I think it's important today that the very complicated issues there be addressed in an effective manner and the conflict does not escalate."

"And, of course, a whole host of other issues - issues in this part of the world, issues in the Indo-Pacific - that we need to talk about. Very glad to have this opportunity," Jaishankar added.

The 60th Munich Security Conference (MSC) got underway an in-person event from February 16-18, 2024, at its traditional venue, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, according to an official statement.

This year's conference is being held under the chairmanship of the German Ambassador to the US, Christoph Heusgen.