Vaccine partnership, IPR waiver, trade, Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan dominated meetings of Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar with US Trade Representative, NSA, senior officials, members of Congress and American companies.

“Our commercial, technological and commercial cooperation is at the heart of our strategic partnership. Their improvement is vital for the post-Covid economic recovery. I applauded his positive stance on IPR issues and supporting efficient and robust supply chains, ”Jaishankar tweeted after meeting USTR Katherine Tai in Washington on Thursday. The meeting was essential to streamline the vaccine supply.

Jaishankar also met with NSA Jake Sullivan on Thursday. Both sides said there had been a discussion on Indo-Pacific and global issues, with Jaishankar tweeting that the situation in Afghanistan had been brought up. “Large-scale discussions, including on the Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan. Expressed appreciation for US solidarity in the face of Covid-19 challenge. The Indo-American vaccine partnership can make a real difference. ”

The American Reading said that Jaishankar and Sullivan welcomed the cooperation which resulted in the delivery of more than $ 500 million in relief supplies (state, federal and private sector sources) from the United States to India. . “They agreed that people-to-people connections and shared values ​​are the foundation of the US-India strategic partnership that helps end the pandemic, support a free and open Indo-Pacific, and provide global leadership on climate change.” , did he declare. .

The minister had breakfasts and lunches on Thursday hosted by the US India Business Council and the US India Strategic Partnership Forum. The USIBC meeting included a discussion on how the private sector, working through a consortium of 40 companies called the “Global Pandemic Response Task Force”, could “support the health infrastructure of the United States. India and other ways to continue relief efforts, ”according to a spokesperson for the group. Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson are on the task force.

Jaishankar also spoke on the phone with the (head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, and his rank member, Michael McCaul. He also had a phone call with the House Co-Chairs of India. , Steve Chabot Congressman Brad Sherman held a face-to-face meeting with the Minister.

“The US Congress has been a tremendous pillar of support as India responds to the challenge of Covid-19. Pleasure speaking to the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Gregory Meeks and Rank Member McCaul. Discussion of Quad developments and our vaccine cooperation. Recognize their leadership in bond building, ”Jaishankar tweeted. Jaishankar met with the US Secretary of Defense on Friday.