‘Architect of Modern India-US Ties’: Top Biden Official’s Praise For ‘Incredibly Talented’ Jaishankar

Amid the growing India-US relations, a top official of the Biden administration has heaped praise on the “incredibly talented” Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and called him the “architect” of modern ties between the two nations.

The remark was made by Richard Verma, a veteran diplomat and the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the US State Department, during an event held at the Indian Embassy on Saturday to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Indian culture and the India-US relationship.

The event hosted by India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu was held in honour of Jaishankar, who was on a week-long visit to the US, where he addressed the UN General Assembly, met Secretary of State Antony Blinken and participated in various other events.

Speaking at the event, Verma emphasized the role of hard-working Indian Americans who have built the US-India ties and said, “It’s one of the most consequential relationships of this century. Do we have disagreements? You bet. Will we have bumps in the road? Of course. But two close friends aligned with these shared values, bonded together by the great ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King…this is a partnership with staying power, with real impact, and that will continue to have an outside influence in the world.”

Praising the Indian Minister, the former envoy termed Jaishankar as the architect behind the modern US-India relationship and exuded confidence that US-India strategic ties have enhanced under his watch.

“I have also known (Jaishankar) for a long time over many capacities, and who I can also say, he is the architect of modern US-India relations. We would not be in the strong place that we are today, but for the external affairs minister, your leadership,” Verma said in his public address.

Varma also lauded the Indian-American community for their “hard work” in strengthening the India-US partnership, which he said was “one of the most consequential relationships of this century.”