INDIA’S foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday (27) conveyed his appreciation for US solidarity in addressing Covid challenges during a meeting with US national security advisor Jake Sullivan.
Jaishankar also stressed healthcare partnerships and the importance of India US collaborations, which he hoped would strengthen supply chains for vaccine and essential medicines production in India. This is the minister’s first meeting with US senior officials under president Joe Biden’s administration.
Sullivan and Jaishankar welcomed the cooperation in recent weeks that resulted in deliveries of more than $500 million (£ 411 million) in Covid-19 relief supplies from the US federal and state governments, US companies and private citizens across America for the people of India, said Emily Horne, spokesperson of the national security council, White House.
"Our people-to-people ties and our values are the foundation of the US-India partnership and will help us end the pandemic, lead on climate, and support a free and open Indo-Pacific," Sullivan said.
He tweeted, "We will beat this pandemic together."
Jaishankar also held a meeting with US trade representative Katherine Tai and welcomed her stance on IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) issues and support for efficient supply chains.
Early this month, Tai had announced her support for a move by India and South Africa to waive certain IP aspects of Covid-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"Our trade, technology, and business cooperation are at the core of our strategic partnership. Enhancing them is vital to post-Covid economic recovery," Jaishankar said.
He also attended a meeting hosted by the US India Business Council and the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum.
Jaishankar also met the chairman of the house foreign affairs committee Rep. Gregory Meeks and ranking member Rep. Michael McCaul.
"The US Congress has been a tremendous pillar of support as India meets the Covid challenge," Jaishankar said.
In another meeting with director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Jaishankar stressed working closely to address security challenges and strengthen bilateral strategic ties.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)