On India-US Relationship, S Jaishankar Draws A Chandrayaan Parallel

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today it is difficult to put a limit on the India-US relationship, and that the two countries now see each other as "desirable, optimal, and comfortable partners."

Addressing an Indian community event in Washington DC, Mr Jaishankar said, "I am often asked, where do you think this relationship (India-US) is going...now it's hard for me today, really, to put a limit on it, to define it, to even voice expectations, because in every way this relationship has exceeded expectations, which is why today we don't even try to define it. We actually keep raising the bar."

Mr Jaishankar held meetings with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senior members of the US Administration, US business leaders, and think tank experts this week. The External Affairs Minister said that India and the United States have a "very compelling need" to work together and that it is in Washington's interest to have partners who think and speak well of America.

"We keep finding new domains, the more we do with each other, the more we find we are able to do, explore together, and achieve together," he said.

Mr Jaishankar stressed that just like ISRO's historic Chandrayaan lunar mission, India-US bilateral ties will reach new heights and go beyond.

"The contribution, the support and the understanding that we got from the United States to make a successful G20, I think that is something I would certainly like to recognise in public in Washington DC," Mr Jaishankar told several hundred Indian-Americans gathered at the India House to celebrate the 'Celebrating Colours of Friendship' event organized by the Embassy of India in the US.

"So, it may have been our success in a literal way, but I think it was the G20 (nations) success. To me, it was also a success of the India-US partnership...please keep giving this partnership the support it needs, the support it deserves and the support it expects. And I can promise you that this relationship, like the Chandrayaan, will go to the moon, maybe even beyond," he added.

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"In this changing world, I would say, today, India and the United States have moved to a position where we really see each other as very desirable, optimal partners, comfortable partners, with whom it's a natural instinct today. So, the chemistry and the comfort today of the relationship gives me enormous hope about where the prospects are," he added.

Mr Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington recently, amid the diplomatic row with Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June this year.

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The foreign minister rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation that Indian government agents were involved in Nijjar's killing, saying it was "inconsistent with India's policy."

Mr Blinken expressed deep concern over Mr Trudeau's allegations, saying that the US is urging the Indian government to cooperate with the investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Jaishankar also met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday for a productive discussion on deepening bilateral defence cooperation between India and the US, including the co-production of defence articles.