New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to travel to the United States from December 24-29, the first ministerial visit since Donald Trump’s victory, ahead of the President-elect’s swearing-in ceremony in January. Jaishankar’s visit will include meetings with officials from both the outgoing Joe Biden administration and the Trump transition team.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar “will be meeting counterparts to discuss key bilateral, regional and global issues.” The foreign minister “will also chair a conference of the Consul Generals of India in the USA,” the statement added. However, the MEA did not specify which US officials Jaishankar will meet during his trip.
Jaishankar will join foreign secretary Vikram Misri, who is already in Washington for Foreign Office Consultations. The Hindu reported that discussions may include a potential final meeting of the national security advisor-level initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) before the Biden administration exits office. The iCET, launched in February 2023, focuses on technology transfer negotiations, including the GE-F414 jet engine deal and cooperation in areas like biotechnology, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and space.
Preparations for Trump administration engagement
Jaishankar and Misri are expected to engage with Trump’s transition team and nominees for key positions at the state and defence departments. Discussions will likely address plans for high-level meetings post-inauguration and scheduling for Trump’s early visit to India for the Quad Summit in 2025. This mirrors Jaishankar’s outreach in 2016, when he engaged with Trump’s team as foreign secretary following the 2016 US elections.
While there is no clarity on whether Trump will invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his inaugural ceremony, invitations have reportedly been sent to other world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. When asked about Modi’s attendance, the MEA spokesperson told the Hindu there were “no updates to share.”
Focus on bilateral ties amid controversies
Jaishankar’s visit comes amid scrutiny over the recent US Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission indictments involving Gautam Adani and the Adani Group. Additionally, the indictment of Indian official Vikash Yadav in connection with the alleged assassination attempt on Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has added strain.
While both governments have downplayed the impact of these cases on bilateral ties, tensions were heightened after the BJP accused the US state department of orchestrating “attacks” on Adani to target Modi. The US Embassy dismissed the claims, labeling them “disappointing.”
