Jaishankar Meets US NSA, Prepares Ground For Modi-Trump Meeting

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar met two top US officials, including National Security Advisor (NSA) Lt Gen HR McMaster, and discussed ways to promote the strategic Indo-US ties especially in trade, defence and security.

The meeting between Jaishankar and McMaster assumes significance as the top military leader was appointed as the National Security Advisor by US President Donald Trump ten days ago. This comes at a time when groundwork for a meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi sometime in May is being laid. A possible meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit on 7 and 8 July is already on the cards.

During the meeting held at the White House, the two officials are believed to have discussed issues related to security, counter-terrorism and defence partnership.

Jaishankar also met Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan and discussed various issues, including ways to enhance economic and defence cooperation between the two countries.

“The relationship between the US and India is rooted in shared values of democracy and freedom,” Ryan said in a statement after the meeting.

"We had a great opportunity today to build on this critical partnership by discussing ways to enhance our economic and defence cooperation," he said.

During his meeting with Jaishankar, Ryan expressed condolences of the US House of Representatives over the death of Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla.

“Our peoples must continue to stand together, and I look forward to working with Foreign Secretary Jaishankar in the years ahead,” Ryan said.

Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and another Indian Alok Madasani injured by navy veteran Adam Purinton, who yelled "terrorist" and "get out of my country" before firing on them.