The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Melbourne. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Jaishankar reviewed the progress made over the past year in broadening and deepening the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership, which is critical to to promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar discussed efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad and expand cooperation on common priorities, including reinforcing the rules-based international order. Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar also discussed cooperation on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, diplomatic efforts in response to Russian aggression, the challenges we face in Afghanistan, placing Burma back on the path to democracy, and other issues of mutual concern.