INDIA and the US have emphasised the continued importance of bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, space and clean energy as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Secretary of State Antony Blinken and exchanged notes on global developments, amid a simmering diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. Jaishankar is currently on a five-day official trip to Washington DC. Jaishankar on Friday said that the Canadian allegations with regard to the death of a Khalistani separatist was discussed during his meeting with the Secretary of State Tony Blinken and noted that the two delegations came out‘better informed’ after the meeting. “Yes, I did,” Jaishankar said in response to a question during his appearance at the prestigious Hudson Institute think tank when asked if the issue of Canadian allegations came up during his meeting with Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department. Thursday’s meeting at the State Department was the highest-level interaction between the two countries after the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi when President Joe Biden and PM Modi met. “Great to meet my friend US Secretary of State @SecBlinken at the State Department today.

 

A wideranging discussion, following up on PM @narendramodi’s June visit. Also exchanged notes on global developments. Laid the groundworkofour2+2meeting very soon,” he posted on X on Friday. “Thank you to Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar for hosting @POTUS earlier this month. We discussed India’s successful G20 presidency, creationof theIndia-MiddleEast-Europe Economic Corridor, and the upcoming #USIndia 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi,” Blinken posted on X.The two topdiplomats“discussedafull range ofissues, including key outcomes of India’sG20 presidency, and the creation of India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and its potential to generate transparent,sustainable,and high standard infrastructure investments,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a readout of the meeting. However, the two sides remained tight-lipped about the director indirect implications of the diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjarin British Columbia early this year. New Delhi will host the fifth edition of India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Jaishankar announced on Thursday.