Germany: On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on February 16 at Munich in Germany.  

Secretary Blinken and EAM Jaishankar discussed the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. 

The U.S. Secretary of State Blinken highlighted that the respective U.S. and Indian approaches to maritime security in the Red Sea are mutually reinforcing and play important roles in safeguarding economic stability in the region.

Posting on X, the United States Secretary of State Blinken wrote on February 17:

"The U.S.-India partnership advances security throughout the region and the world. At the @MunSecConf, @DrSJaishankar and I discussed our cooperation on maritime security in the Red Sea and ongoing efforts to secure lasting peace and security in the Middle East."

While the U.S. Secretary of State Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister also discussed ongoing work to ensure lasting peace and security in the Middle East.

During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar held discussion with the United States Secretary of State Blinken on the situation in West Asia, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific. Both leaders also reviewed the continuing progress in the bilateral ties between two countries.

Taking the social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar wrote on February 16: 

"Great to meet my friend US @SecBlinken this afternoon on #MSC2024 sidelines. Our talk centered on the situation in West Asia, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific. Reviewed the continuing progress in our bilateral ties."

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today in Munich, Germany, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar discussed the need to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Secretary Blinken highlighted that the respective U.S. and Indian approaches to maritime security in the Red Sea are mutually reinforcing and play important roles in safeguarding economic stability in the region. The Secretary and External Affairs Minister also discussed ongoing work to ensure lasting peace and security in the Middle East", the Spokesperson in the U.S. Department of State Matthew Miller said in a statement released on February 16.

Before their meeting, the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar shared their remarks on February 16:

The United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken:

"On a much different note, I’m very pleased to be with my friend and colleague, the external affairs minister of India. We have an extraordinary partnership between the United States and India that has grown stronger and stronger in recent years, stronger than it’s ever been, and it is for us among the most consequential relationships of any in the world. We’re working closely on a whole host of vital priorities that are making a difference in the lives of people in India and people in the United States: increasing mutual prosperity, advancing democracy and human rights, addressing climate change, upholding together the rules-based international order.

This work is not just the work of a day or a single meeting, it’s the work of every day, but it’s important to be able to take stock of where we are as well as the many challenges that we’re facing, India and the United States together, both in the region and in the world. So, I look forward to comparing notes with you about all of that. Thank you, my friend."

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar:

"Thank you. Well, let me just add my words of welcome to the Secretary. Tony, good to see you, and there’s a lot that we need to talk about. I’m coming out of the Middle East, myself, been monitoring your travels and efforts there. I think it’s important today that the very complicated issues there be addressed in an effective manner and the conflict does not escalate. And, of course, a whole host of other issues – issues in this part of the world, issues in the Indo-Pacific – that we need to talk about. Very glad to have this opportunity."