Noting that the Trump administration was keen to have India present at the inaugural itself and is prioritising the bilateral relationship, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the ties are being built further on the strong foundation that has been laid.
A video surfaced on social media in which suspected pro-Khalistani protestors were seen gathering outside the Indian consulate in San Francisco, shouting slogans and heckling staff as they abandoned the diplomatic mission.
"We have always taken the view that if there are any of our citizens, who are not here legally, if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. So it's not a position unique to the United States," Jaishankar said.
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar addressed the status of trade relations with Pakistan, clarifying that India has not ceased trade with Pakistan, but rather, it was the Pakistani administration that decided to halt trading in 2019.
"It was also evident that they would like to build on the foundation of the relationship, a foundation which the first Trump administration also contributed a lot to building," Jaishankar said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Washington, DC, to reaffirm the US-India strategic partnership. Discussions focused on critical technologies, defence, energy, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inaugural celebrations duirng the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of US at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday.
His attendance underscores the importance of India-US relations and the global diplomatic ties shared between the two nations as President Trump begins his second term in office.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Privileged to represent as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC. "
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his Special Envoy at the inaugural function of President Donald Trump in Washington DC today. The External Affairs Minister is carrying a letter from the Prime Minister for President Trump, sources said.