Wendy Sherman holds talks with Harsh Shringla; hints at Indo-US security dialogue

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla and held discussions on issues related to Pakistan and China. Later today, she is slated to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

New Delhi: US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla here in New Delhi. "Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla held consultations with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman on taking forward the strategic partnership for global good as envisioned by PM Modi and US President Joe Biden," said the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday.

The American diplomat arrived in the national capital on Tuesday evening to hold a series of bilateral meetings, civil society events and later participate in the India Ideas Summit organised by the US India Business Council. During the meeting with Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla, Sherman said that the US & India are looking to deepening the security relationship across multiple dimensions. "We remain engaged with each other on Afghanistan, and counter-terrorism as well. Our countries will soon meet for security dialogue", she added.

Further, the American diplomat hailed India for being the world's largest vaccine producer and said, "As the world's largest vaccine producer, India is a crucial leader in the fight against COVID. She added, "We look forward to working together with India to vaccinate the world including through the Quad vaccine partnership."

According to sources, a detailed discussion was held on issues related to Pakistan and China. Later today, she is also slated to hold talks with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Meanwhile, Sherman is scheduled to visit Mumbai tomorrow and hold meetings with the business community and civil society. Her visit to India comes amid Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan and the concern that Pakistan might persuade the extremist group to intensify its terror activities in India.

She is visiting India days after Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral summit with US President Joe Biden. Sherman's visit to India assumes significance as concerns are growing over potential threat from Taliban, Pakistan and China. Meanwhile, India and the US are scheduled to hold their first 2+2 summit under the Biden administration in November this year.