Jaishankar meets UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 25

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York on Tuesday to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Jaishankar is on a nearly week-long visit to the US during which he will also meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington.

The minister devoted Monday to holding consultations with the Indian team in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN led by TS Tirumurti.

Guterres and Jaishankar had a full plate of discussions, especially in view of the fact that India is currently a member of the UN Security Council.

Jaishankar will then travel to Washington where he will meet key members of the Biden administration to take stock of the entire relationship, including Quad, climate change and public health issues.

The shipment of ready-to-use vaccines to India will be the highlight of the discussions on public health but the two sides will also have intense talks on a roadmap for a long-term sustained cooperation on this issue, including co-production and development, booster shots and tackling a potential third wave.

Jaishankar will also participate in two interactions by the US India Business Council (USIBC) and the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), wherein leaders from the pharmaceutical sector such as Moderna and Pfizer are expected to be present.

The US has emerged as a major donor to India, having provided nearly $500 million in assistance, including $100 million from the US government. The contribution by the US corporate sector and Indian-American groups has also been generous.