United States (US)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with American Vice President Kamala Harris. The key focus of their discussion was vaccine cooperation.
During the discussion, Harris informed PM Modi of the US’ decision to launch its “Strategy for Global Vaccine Sharing,” through which it intends to provide COVID-19 jabs to other countries, including India. In this regard, Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the American side for the decision, along with its support to India’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19.
According to a statement published by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the pair also decided to “strengthen the health supply chain” between the two countries, particularly for vaccine production. They further highlighted the immense potential of an India-US partnership in vaccine manufacturing, along with the Quad vaccine initiative, both of which would result in bringing an end to the pandemic. In conclusion, PM Modi also extended an invitation to Harris to visit India following the settling down on the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes shortly following Indian External Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the US, during which he met with several American leaders and discussed a variety of issues, including bolstering bilateral ties through the Quad alliance, vaccine cooperation, and enhancing their economic partnership. Soon after, American President Joe Biden announced that the US would be distributing around 19 million doses to COVAX and around seven million to South and Southeast Asian countries. It is estimated that India will secure around two to three million doses through this initiative.
Germany
On Thursday, India and Germany held virtual discussions on United Nations issues. The Indian side was represented by MEA Secretary (West) Vikas Swarup, along with officials from the UN and Europe West Divisions of MEA and the Embassy of India in Berlin. The German delegation saw the participation of State Secretary Antje Leendertse and officials from the International Order and the United Nations Desks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Embassy in New Delhi.
According to a statement released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the two discussed several issues pertaining to the United Nations and agreed to engage on issues of mutual concern on the organisation’s agenda. Further, the Indian delegation discussed its priorities during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
This year marks the 70th year of India’s diplomatic relations with Germany. Furthermore, the two are part of the G4 grouping, which also includes Brazil and Japan. Through the G4, India and Germany have called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council by revising the list of permanent members to reflect the current international order. They have often supported each other’s bid to secure a seat as a permanent member of the UNSC.
BRICS
On Tuesday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar chaired a meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers via videoconference. He was joined by his counterparts from Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa—Carlos Alberto França, Sergey Lavrov, Wang Yi, Naledi Pandor, respectively. Among a wide range of topics, the diplomats discussed the social and economic impact of the pandemic, reforming international institutions, counterterrorism operations, waiving patents on COVID-19 vaccines, and crises across the globe.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar opened the meeting by saying: “We strive for a fair, just, inclusive, equitable and representative multi-polar international system. It is one based on international law and the UN Charter, that recognizes the sovereign equality of all states and respects their territorial integrity while displaying mutual respect for interests and concerns of all.” This has been interpreted as a thinly veiled insult of China, with whom India has been embroiled in a border dispute that resulted in multiple deaths on both sides last year.
He then outlined the four pillars of India’s vision for multilateralism: “reform of the multilateral system, counterterrorism cooperation, using digital and technological solutions to achieve SDGs, and enhancing people-to-people cooperation.”
Read More: SUMMARY: BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Australia
On Tuesday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a virtual discussion with his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton. In the discussion, the two sides spoke of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, celebrated their bilateral cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resolved to convene for a 2+2 ministerial dialogue at the earliest.
During their telephonic conversation, they conducted a review of their bilateral cooperation in defence and security, specifically in light of the regional tensions created by China’s aggressive activities in the Indo-Pacific. In this regard, they vowed to enhance their defence cooperation even further. India and Australia’s military cooperation is guided by the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, which paves the way for both sides’ defence forces to use each other’s military bases to repair or replenish their supplies. It also covers broader aspects of their defence partnership to enhance cooperation.
The pair further discussed the establishment of a 2+2 ministerial dialogue, which they vowed to convene soon. This mechanism, which will see the participation of the two countries’ foreign and defence ministers, was established with the aim to bolster strategic cooperation between India and Australia. Australia, along with the United States and Japan, is one of the few countries with whom such a dialogue has been established by India.
India has been growing its ties with Australia over the past few years and last year elevated its relationship from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. As a result, the two sides inked nine agreements, including the “Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific” and a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. All in all, India and Australia signed nine agreements, comprised of two ‘bilateral strategic declarations’ on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and seven other pacts.
Their partnership is further strengthened by their participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or the “Quad”. Through this alliance, which also comprises Japan and the United States, India and Australia have expanded their cooperation and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, specifically to counter China’s growing aggressive activities in the region. The two countries have also time and again reiterated their joint commitment towards a rules-based Indo-Pacific, for which they have engaged in several military and naval exercises. Hence, Tuesday’s conversation between the two countries’ defence ministers is in furtherance of their already flourishing friendship, which is grounded in a military partnership.