Jaishankar discusses the ‘I’ factor in India-US relations and recalls difficult times: ‘We didn’t let you into any of the rooms in Congress.’
Jaishankar discusses the ‘I’ factor in India-US relations and recalls difficult times: ‘We didn’t let you into any of the rooms in Congress.’
Jaishankar reflected on the relationship’s evolution during the 1980s and recognized the amazing progress in India-US relations.
Noting the amazing progress in India-US relations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the letter ‘I’ in different cooperation between the two countries on Sunday. Many efforts combining the two countries, according to the minister, begin with the letter ‘I,’ citing examples such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the Indo-Pacific idea.
If you look at some of the recent things which India and US have done jointly, they all start with the initial ‘I’. So we just discussed the Middle Eastern Corridor. IMEEC stands for India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor… Everyone has heard of the Indo-Pacific region… “Clearly, you know, the letter ‘I’ is good for the United States,” Jaishankar explained.
He was speaking to members of the Indian diaspora at the ‘Colors of Friendship’ event held at India House in Washington, DC.
Jaishankar reflected on his early days as a diplomat in the 1980s, recalling the obstacles he faced as well as the evolution of India-US relations.
“I started in the early 1980s when you had to explain where you were from, what you were about, and it’s nice to see members of Congress here.” “Those were difficult days, you know, they wouldn’t even let you into the rooms in Congress,” he recalled.
However, when one considers the trip, how far we’ve come, and how deep and broad this partnership (India-US connection) has grown. “Today, no department in the government does not have dealings with their Indian or American counterparts,” the minister stated.
Several senior Biden administration officials attended the reception, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, President Biden’s domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden, and Dr Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Shri Thanedar, a Democrat, and Rick McCormik, a Republican, were both present at the occasion.
