S Jaishankar discusses COVID-19 vaccination policy, Quad partnership with US lawmakers

Washington: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met American lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties on Thursday and discussed developments pertaining to Quad and the cooperation on vaccines with them.

"Discussed developments pertaining to Quad and our cooperation on vaccines. Recognise their leadership in building stronger ties," Jaishankar said after his meeting with Congressman Gregory Meeks, who is the chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with its ranking member, Congressman Michael McCaul.

The minister also had a "good conversation" with the co-chairs of the House India Caucus, Congressman Brad Sherman from the Democratic Party and Congressman Steve Chabot from the Republican Party.

Pleasure to speak to Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee @RepGregoryMeeks and Ranking Member @RepMcCaul. Discussed developments pertaining to Quad and our cooperation on vaccines. Recognise their leadership in building stronger ties.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 27, 2021

"The US Congress has been a tremendous pillar of support as India meets the Covid challenge," Jaishankar tweeted.

All the four US lawmakers have been strong advocates of the India-US relationship.

Emphasized #India's focus on healthcare partnerships and the importance of India US collaborations, which would strengthen supply chains for vaccine and essential medicines production in India.

— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) May 27, 2021

In a tweet, Sherman said he learned how India is fighting COVID-19 and working to disentangle its economy from China.

A day earlier, after introducing the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act, Congressman Meeks appreciated the Biden administration's initiative towards India.

"Secretaries Blinken and Austin's trips to Japan and Korea, and Secretary Austin's separate trip to India, so early in the new administration, reinforced America's role as a Pacific power, and signalled to China and the world that the United States is back in the arena with our allies and partners alongside us," he said.