India cannot take a 'black and white view' of major power ties, says Jaishankar; calls US a key strategic partner

New Delhi: Even as he described the United States as one of India's principal strategic partners, its largest economic and biggest trade ally, and a major political and defence partner, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday noted that the central question of this era is an "age of flux" and how India deals with the US, the rise of China, a "stable, traditional" relationship with Russia, and new possibilities with Europe and the UK, where India has concluded or is pursuing trade agreements.

Each of these ties offers possibilities and comes with challenges, he said. India cannot take a "black and white view", and must weigh them in a considered manner. Progress on one front, he said, makes it easier on others, and "it's the opposite of a zero-sum game". He was speaking at the fifth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave.

Referring to the Ukraine war theatre, Jaishankar informed that India is in talks with both Russia and Ukraine to secure safe passage for grain and fuel shipments from the Black Sea.