Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu interacts with Governor of Washington, Jay Robert Inslee

Ambassador of India to the United States,  Taranjit Singh Sandhu interacted virtually with Governor of Washington, Jay Robert Inslee on July 7. Both had a productive and forward-looking discussion on India-Washington economic and people-to-people ties.

During the meeting, Ambassador Sandhu and Governor Inslee discussed the potential for further cooperation in aerospace, IT, retail, healthcare & pharma, and agricultural sectors. They discussed the complementarities, which can lead to job creation and mutual growth. The discussion also covered the important contributions of Indian and Indian-American companies, professionals and community to the state of Washington.

India and Washington State share a growing trade and investment relationship. The total trade between India and Washington State stood at US$ 1.23 billion in 2019. Major Indian exports include textiles, metals, computer and electronics, fisheries. Major Indian imports from Washington are transportation equipment (including aerospace), agricultural products, computer and electronics and food & beverages. As per CII’s report on survey of Indian industry’s footprint in the US, 14 Indian companies have invested around US$ 143 million in Washington State, creating more than 4,167 jobs. Washington-based companies have also established a strong presence in India’s defence, retail and food & beverages sectors.

India-U.S. Foreign Office Consultations

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale held virtual foreign office consultations, July 7. They reviewed the entire gamut of engagements under the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including political, economic, commercial, regional and international cooperation.

In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, they agreed to further strengthen the bilateral health partnership, including on pharmaceuticals and vaccine development. They discussed ways to further enhance mutually beneficial trade and people-to-people ties, including through visa facilitation for students and professionals.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale held virtual foreign office consultations, July 7.  (Indian Embassy, Washington D.C.)

Foreign Secretary Shringla and Under Secretary Hale exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of shared interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to work towards ensuring a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They agreed on the need to deepen cooperation in the United Nations, especially during India’s membership of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2021-2022.

They agreed to remain in touch and move forward on the bilateral agenda through a range of mechanisms like the 2+2 Ministerial that India will host later this year.