External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held extensive talks on Sunday with American counterpart Antony Blinken in Tokyo amid US expressing 'unease' over PM Narendra Modi's recent visit to Russia.
Both Jaishankar and Blinken were in Tokyo to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the four-nation grouping Quadrilateral coalition on Monday.
Taking to X, Jaishankar said it was great to catch up with Blinken in Tokyo.
Great to catch up with @SecBlinken in Tokyo today.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 28, 2024
Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide ranging discussion on regional and global issues.
Look forward to attending the Quad FMM tomorrow.
🇮🇳 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/TMGwHKHciT
"Our bilateral agenda progresses steadily. Also had a wide-ranging discussion on regional and global issues," Jaishankar added.
However, it is unclear whether the duo discussed PM Modi's recent visit to Russia.
Modi visited Moscow from July 8 to 9 as it coincided with the NATO summit in Washington. It was his first bilateral trip after securing the third term as PM.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told a US Congressional hearing on Tuesday that the US was disappointed by the "symbolism" and "timing" of Modi's visit to Russia.
However, India rejected Lu's comments and said that all countries have the "freedom of choice" in a multipolar world.
Meanwhile, PM Modi is planning to visit Ukraine in August.
In November last year, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun in New York.
Pannun, wanted in India on terror charges, holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.
Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic in June last year, was extradited to the US last month.
Following the allegations by the US, India appointed a high-level inquiry committee to look into the inputs provided by the US on the plot.
