External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his US counterpart Antony Blinken discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its potential to generate high-standard infrastructure investment, the US State Department said in a statement.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including key outcomes of India’s G20 presidency.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today in Washington. Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar discussed a wide range of issues, including key outcomes of India’s G20 presidency and the creation of India’s Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its potential to generate transparent, sustainable and high-quality infrastructure investment,” the statement said.
The two leaders also emphasized the continued importance of cooperation ahead of the upcoming 2+2 dialogue, particularly in the areas of defense, space, and clean energy.
Especially at the G20 summit in India; India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
The corridor will promote and provide the impetus for economic development through enhanced connectivity and economic integration between Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, according to sources.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will consist of two separate corridors, the Eastern Corridor connecting India with West Asia/Middle East and the Northern Corridor connecting West Asia/Middle East with Europe.
It will include a rail line that, when completed, will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to complement the existing multimodal transport routes, improving the transshipment of goods and services between Southeast Asia via India. to West Asia/Europe in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar also participated in a discussion on India-US collaboration on critical and emerging technologies aimed at creating resilient supply chains.
The India-US Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) was announced in May 2022 to elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries.
it aims to position the two countries as trusted technology partners by building technology value chains and supporting joint development and co-production of items. It also aims to address regulatory restrictions, export controls, and barriers to mobility through a permanent mechanism.
India and the US are expected to conduct a mid-term review of the iCET in September 2023 to continue to support another annual iCET review, led by the national security advisers of both countries, in early 2024.
EAM also met with members of Congress, the administration, business, and think tanks at India House in Washington DC.
“Our regular talks keep India-US relations strong,” he said on X.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and discussed expanding trade and economic ties between India and the US.
He also held a meeting with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The two sides acknowledged the tremendous progress in bilateral relations this year and discussed their way forward.
EAM also participated in a conversation with think tanks on India’s growing role in global transformation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jaishankar addressed the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Notably, Jaishankar is visiting the US from September 22 to 30. He will also perform at the 4th World Culture Festival organized by Art of Living.
Image Source: The News Mill
