Washington / India’s successful hosting of this year’s G20 summit is being celebrated as a triumph of the India-US partnership, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Speaking at the ‘Colours of Friendship’ event held at India House in Washington, D.C., Jaishankar highlighted the invaluable support and understanding extended by the United States, which played a crucial role in the summit’s success.

Addressing members of the Indian diaspora, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the US’s cooperation in ensuring a productive G20 Summit. He acknowledged that while it may have been India’s success on paper, it was equally a success of the India-US partnership in his view.

One of the central themes of India’s G20 presidency was to “bring the world together,” a message reiterated throughout Minister Jaishankar’s visit to the United States. Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, Jaishankar paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi during the diaspora event, hosted by Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

During his remarks, Jaishankar reflected on the legacy of Gandhi, emphasizing the significance of doing the right thing and leaving no one behind. He stated, “Gandhi Ji’s message is very complicated, but its essence is actually very, very simple.”

Discussing India’s G20 presidency, Jaishankar revealed that it was aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s message, focusing on ethical action and inclusivity. He explained that the aim was to bring the countries of the global south, especially those facing challenges, to the forefront and address their concerns.

Jaishankar expressed that the G20’s success wasn’t merely about finding solutions to complex issues like the Ukraine conflict but also about shining a light on the disparities in resources for education, health, development, and infrastructure. He emphasized that while discussions about saving the planet are essential, equal attention must be given to addressing these critical areas.

Furthermore, the partnership between India and the US extended beyond the G20, with the US announcing a transformative agreement involving India, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other Middle Eastern nations to develop an extensive rail and maritime network across the region. This ambitious initiative was hailed by President Biden as a “game-changing regional investment.”

The event was attended by several senior officials of the Biden administration, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, President Biden’s domestic policy advisor Neera Tanden, and Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Rahul Gupta. US lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Rick McCormick, representing both the Democratic and Republican parties, were also present.

Jaishankar’s visit to the US, which took place from September 22 to 30, included an address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and meetings with several high-ranking US officials.