Washington – A grand reception was hosted in honor of India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, in Washington, where several high-ranking officials from the Biden administration lauded his pivotal role in fostering the robust India-US partnership. During this remarkable event, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu welcomed distinguished guests, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, Neera Tanden, President Biden’s domestic policy advisor, Dr. Rahul Gupta of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation.
Jaishankar’s visit to the United States, which extended from September 22 to September 30, encompassed his address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During his stay in Washington, Jaishankar engaged in substantive discussions with top US officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ambassador Katherine Tai, and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Richard Verma, a seasoned diplomat, underscored the role of industrious Indian Americans in advancing India-US relations. He stated, “It’s one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends, aligned by shared values, bonded through the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, have forged a partnership with enduring strength and global influence.”
Mr. Verma further hailed S. Jaishankar as the architect behind the modern India-US relationship, acknowledging the substantial progress achieved in bilateral strategic ties under his stewardship. In his public address, Verma expressed his admiration for Jaishankar’s leadership and credited him for the strong position the two nations enjoy today.
At the “Colors of Friendship” event held in Washington DC, Jaishankar addressed members of the Indian community, emphasizing the pivotal role of people-to-people connections in fortifying bilateral relations. The event witnessed the participation of hundreds of community members from across the United States.
Neera Tanden, a prominent Indian American in the White House, highlighted the significance of robust person-to-person and community-to-community ties between India and the US. She noted the increasing presence of Indian Americans in prominent positions throughout the administration and praised their contributions to the US-India relationship.
Acknowledging Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s fervent advocacy for India-US ties, Neera Tanden described him as “one of the strongest ambassadors India has ever had.”
This special event also provided an opportunity to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy in the context of the upcoming 104th anniversary of his birth, celebrated as the International Day of Non-violence. The values of truth and Satyagraha were central themes during this reflection.
US lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Rick McCormick, representing both Democratic and Republican perspectives, were in attendance at this significant gathering.
In essence, the reception celebrated the enduring partnership between India and the United States, with S. Jaishankar at the forefront as the visionary “architect” of modern India-US relations.
By ANI
