S Jaishankar: On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the development of India-US relations and noted that the two countries used to compete with one another but now cooperate.
Comparing Key Moments in India-US Diplomacy
At the ‘Colours of India’ event in Washington, DC, Jaishankar remarked “People remember Rajiv Gandhi’s visit (to US) in 1985, I was here at that time. People remember Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit in 2005 when the nuclear deal happened, I was there too. People remember PM Modi‘s visit. But I have to say that this one was different, it was different in optics, and if you ask me what has changed, I would say India and the US earlier used to deal with each other and now they work with each other.”
The Evolution of India-US Relations
He continued by saying that the US and India are now relaxed partners. “In this changing world, I would say today that India and the US have moved to a position where we really see each other as very desirable, optimal and comfortable partners with whom it’s a natural instinct today to pick up the phone or if you meet someone and have a natural conversation,” said the External Affairs minister. He continued by saying that every department in the government today interacts with its Indian or American counterparts.
Jaishankar’s Reflection on the Evolution of India-US Relations
Talking about how the India-US ties have changed, he said, “I started at a time in the early eighties when you had to explain where you are from, what you are about, you know, it’s good to see members of Congress here. Those are tough days, you know, they didn’t even let you into the rooms in the Congress… But if one looks at the journey, how far we’ve come, how deep and broad this relationship (India-US relationship) has become.” At the ‘Colours of India’ event in Washington, DC, EAM Jaishankar spoke about a number of India’s accomplishments. “…So I mentioned this to you because it’s a great achievement (success of Chandrayaan-3)… Yes, we’ve joined the special club, but today in many ways, the new India is an India of Chandraayan, it’s an India of CoWIN, it’s an India of 5G. This is really what we are capable of, and it is this India today that the United States also sees. It is this India with which the United States actually has an appetite for working, much more closely,” said Jaishankar.
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