EAM Jaishankar Meets US Secretary Blinken, both leaders Express Commitment to Promoting Free, Open and Prosperous Indo-Pacific

By R Anil Kumar

• The Secretary and the External Affairs Minister discussed upcoming opportunities to deepen US-India collaboration on shared priorities
• Jaishankar unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Freedom Plaza in Edogawa, Tokyo on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting
• Through this gesture, Japan wishes to deepen its ties with India: EAM Jaishankar

Tokyo. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on July 28, in Tokyo ahead of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Jaishankar said that they had a wide ranging discussion on regional and global issues.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Great to catch up with @SecBlinken in Tokyo today. Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide ranging discussion on regional and global issues.”

Earlier on Sunday July 28, EAM S. Jaishankar unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Freedom Plaza in Edogawa, Tokyo on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting.

Jaishankar attended the ceremony in the presence of Edogawa Mayor, Takeshi Saito, Sibi George, the Ambassador of India to Japan and other ministers, with a group of schoolchildren singing Gandhi’s favourite prayer, “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.”

Jaishankar said that through this gesture, Japan wishes to deepen its ties with India.

“We have gathered here today because Edogawa ward and Mayor Takeshi Saito have decided that they will build a relationship with India by having this wonderful statue of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. At this venue and at this park, which they will be naming after him.”

Jaishankar said that Mahatma Gandhi is a global icon as his messages through his life are timeless.

“We have to ask ourselves today, why is it important to have this statue here… the achievements of Gandhi have far outlived his times, with the passage of time, they have become more important. What he taught us, was important then as well as now.”

Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient, according to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Jaishankar, Blinken Express Commitment to Promoting Free, Open and Prosperous Indo-Pacific

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a meeting with his US counterpart Antony Blinken in Tokyo and expressed commitment to promoting a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed upcoming opportunities to strengthen collaboration between India and the US on shared priorities, according to the statement released by the US State Department.

In a statement, the US State Department said, “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on July 28, in Tokyo. Secretary Blinken and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar affirmed the United States and India’s commitment to promoting a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

“The Secretary and the External Affairs Minister discussed upcoming opportunities to deepen US-India collaboration on shared priorities. Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of realizing a just and enduring peace for Ukraine consistent with the UN Charter,” it added.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller were present in the meeting.

In a post on X, Blinken stated, “Met with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankarto deepen US-India collaboration and affirm our shared commitment to regional peace, security, and prosperity.”

“Thank Mayor Takeshi Saito, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Masahiro Komura, Member of Parliament Hideo Onishi, members of the Indian community and friends of India for joining us. Happy to learn from the Mayor that the Park, close to the heart of Indian community in Tokyo, would also be soon named as the Gandhi Park,” he added.

He also met members of Indian community in Japan. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “The Little India in Edogawa is thriving. Happy to see the strong people-to-people bonds.”