New Delhi witnessed a significant diplomatic engagement on Sunday as India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with a prominent US congressional delegation. The meeting included key figures such as Representative Mike Rogers, Representative Adam Smith, Jimmy Patronis, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.
The discussions delved deeply into strengthening India-US bilateral relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific region, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Jaishankar shared details of the productive conversation on X, emphasizing how congressional interactions remain a cornerstone of the robust India-US partnership.
“Great conversation with the US delegation comprising Rep. Mike Rogers, Rep. Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis along with Ambassador Eric Garcetti in India,” Jaishankar posted. “Discussed various aspects of India-US relations, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. Congressional conversations always an important facet of our relationship.”
This meeting builds on a series of high-level exchanges. Just a week earlier, on January 18, Jaishankar met US Senator Steve Daines in Delhi, where they explored the strategic dimensions of bilateral ties in an open and extensive dialogue. The minister highlighted the candid exchange on the evolving partnership.
Earlier still, on January 13, Jaishankar engaged in a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The conversation reviewed critical areas of cooperation including civil nuclear energy in the Indo-Pacific, trade negotiations, and regional security. Rubio congratulated India on its new legislation promoting sustainable nuclear energy advancement.
Jaishankar noted discussions on trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defense, and energy, with both sides agreeing to stay in touch. US Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott elaborated that Rubio expressed interest in leveraging this development to enhance US-India civil nuclear cooperation, create opportunities for American companies, advance shared energy security goals, and secure critical mineral supply chains.
Regional developments were also on the agenda, reaffirming commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Ambassador Garcetti described the call as positive, pointing to talks on bilateral trade negotiations, critical minerals, and upcoming meetings. He underscored US enthusiasm for strengthening civil nuclear cooperation through legislation.
These interactions signal a deepening strategic alignment between the two nations amid global challenges, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration across multiple fronts.