External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar: India and US share converging views on global issues

India and the US have converging views and are on parallel paths when it comes to prominent global challenges such as fighting the pandemic, climate change and the fight against terror, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said. Speaking at the India Ideas Summit organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), he said India is a major defence partner of the US and the commitment of the Quad to maritime security remains firm.

"On many of the big challenges of the day -- terrorism, pandemics and climate change -- our thinking is along parallel paths. We not only work together on global issues but are dedicated to the well being of the global commons. That provides the basis for coordinated action," Jaishankar said.

Speaking extensively on the Quad, the minister said that several areas of cooperation have emerged, including the pressing challenge of the pandemic.


"The most pressing challenge - that of Covid - has been met through a Quad initiative which taps into the strengths of each of the participants," he said.On climate change, he added that action was being coordinated, among other measures, through the US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership.

"The relevance of advanced technologies is captured by Quad initiatives ranging from AI, 5G and beyond to critical minerals, space and blockchain," he said.

The minister said that the nations are not just working together on global issues but are also dedicated to the well-being of the global commons that provides the basis for coordinated action. "When it comes to defence and security, the benefits of India being a Major Defence Partner of the US are becoming evident."