External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Highlights Need for Strong India-US Partnership, Focusing on Technology

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Highlights Need for Strong India-US Partnership, Focusing on Technology

Importance of a Robust partnership between India and the US

In a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of a robust partnership between India and the US. He highlighted the compelling need for both countries to work together, emphasizing that it’s useful for the US to have partners who think highly of and speak well about America.

Focus on Technology

Jaishankar stressed the need to focus on technology in the India-US relationship. He stated that the balance of power in the world has always been influenced by the balance of technology, which is even more critical in today’s context. The impact of technology on daily life is substantial, making technology collaboration between the two nations crucial.

Areas of Collaboration

While technology is a significant area of collaboration, Jaishankar mentioned that discussions could also cover critical minerals, maritime security, and political partnerships. He noted that India is an essential partner for the US to accelerate investments and expand global engagement in various domains.

Spillover into Defence and Security

The partnership is expected to extend into defence and security as well. Jaishankar highlighted the multi-faceted nature of the India-US relationship, encompassing technology, security, and political aspects.

Global South Perspective

Jaishankar also touched upon the global perspective, mentioning that the Global South has a certain level of distrust towards the developed countries of the Global North. He emphasized that it’s beneficial for the US to have partners that hold a positive view of America, even when not in direct conversation.

US-India Trade Relations

The US is India’s largest trading partner. Bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion in 2022-23 from USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22, highlighting the economic importance of the relationship.

The conversation underscores the significance of technology collaboration and broader partnership between India and the US, with an emphasis on shared values and interests.