External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, January 29, spoke to newly appointed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during which they expressed commitment to consolidate and expand the India-US strategic partnership and reiterated commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar and Blinken appreciated the robust defence and security ties, growing economic engagement, productive health-care collaboration and strong people-to-people linkages between the two nations. “Recognising the challenges of a post-Covid world, they agreed to work together to address global issues, including safe and affordable vaccine supply. They also reiterated their commitment to peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region,” the MEA said in a statement. It said Jaishankar and Blinken expressed their commitment to consolidate and expand the “multi-faceted strategic partnership”.

The Joe Biden administration began formal engagement with top Indian leaders on Wednesday with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan holding telephonic conversation with their Indian counterparts, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval.

Blast outside Israeli Embassy in Delhi

New Delhi (TIP): A low-intensity blast took place outside the Israeli Embassy on Friday, January 29, evening, the police said. No one was injured. Some cars were damaged in the explosion that took place near the pavement outside the embassy on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, a very high-security zone in the national capital.

The police said it was a low-intensity IED that went off at 5.05 pm. A team of Special Cell personnel was the first to reach the site. An anti-bomb squad and a fire tender were rushed to the spot. They carried out searches to find out if there were more explosives in the area.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi a few hours after the explosion.