India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, met with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington, D.C., on Monday to discuss key areas of collaboration, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and high-technology cooperation. The talks also addressed resilient supply chains, semiconductor development, and initiatives to strengthen bilateral trade ties, as Jaishankar began his official visit to the US capital.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Jaishankar described the meeting as productive, stating, "Great to see Commerce Secretary @SecRaimondo today in Washington DC. We discussed semiconductors, iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies), critical minerals, trusted partnerships, and supply chain resiliency. Value the strides we are making in our tech collaboration and economic partnership".

The visit to Washington is Jaishankar's first since the Modi government was re-elected for a third consecutive term and comes amid growing efforts by both nations to strengthen their strategic and economic relationships. This meeting also marks an important step ahead of Jaishankar’s scheduled talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by the US Department of Commerce, the two leaders emphasized the ongoing collaboration under the US-India CEO Forum and the US-India Commercial Dialogue, both of which aim to bolster trade and investment between the countries. These initiatives are led by the US Department of Commerce and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, focusing on expanding opportunities in key sectors, particularly in high-tech industries.

During the discussions, Jaishankar and Raimondo commended the progress made under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the operationalization of the agreements within the framework. The IPEF, launched in May 2022, is a multilateral economic initiative comprising 13 countries, designed to promote economic cooperation, trade, and investment in the Indo-Pacific region. Since its launch, member nations have held intensive discussions to develop the four key pillars of the framework.

This meeting between Jaishankar and Raimondo further solidifies India’s role within the IPEF, which aims to ensure economic stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration between the US and India, particularly in areas such as supply chain resilience and critical technologies, has gained significant momentum, as both nations seek to reduce their dependence on supply chains dominated by China.

The high-level talks also touched on semiconductor manufacturing, a critical area where both countries are seeking to enhance cooperation. In recent years, the US and India have prioritized building a robust semiconductor supply chain, recognizing the importance of semiconductors in driving technological advancements and maintaining economic security.

The visit comes just days after Jaishankar concluded his participation in the United Nations General Assembly debate in New York, where he addressed a wide range of global issues, including climate change and multilateralism. In addition to his meeting with Blinken, Jaishankar’s Washington itinerary includes engagements with senior US administration officials and members of the Cabinet, reflecting the growing importance of US-India ties.

Jaishankar is also set to engage with Washington’s think-tank community during his visit, with a key event being a session hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP). During this session, Jaishankar will discuss the future of US-India relations with CEIP President Mariano Florentino Cuéllar. The conversation will focus on the evolving strategic partnership between the two nations, particularly in areas such as defense innovation, emerging technologies, and the Indo-Pacific.

The CEIP, a globally recognized non-partisan think-tank, has highlighted India’s growing significance in shaping US foreign policy, particularly through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US in 2023 and his recent bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden. In their September 30 meeting in Greenville, Delaware, Modi and Biden discussed a range of regional and global issues, further reinforcing the deepening ties between the two nations.

In a social media post, PM Modi described the talks as 'extremely fruitful', while President Biden praised Modi’s ability to identify new avenues for cooperation during their discussions. The growing partnership between India and the US reflects a broader global trend toward increased collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, security, and trade