vikram-misri-meets-us-deputy-secretary-landau-in-dc

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met in Washington on Wednesday, reaffirming a “shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace,” the US State Department said.

 

The meeting follows a recent four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan from 7 to 10 May, after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April.

 

While the US has said it helped broker a ceasefire, New Delhi maintains the resolution was reached through direct talks between the military leadership of both countries.

 

This was the first formal engagement between Misri and Landau. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides agreed that technology, trade, and talent would define the contours of India-US relations in the 21st century.

 

In a statement, the US said discussions centred around expanding “fair and reciprocal trade,” referring to ongoing negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement. Cooperation in counter-narcotics and migration, along with market access, also figured prominently in the talks.

 

“Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri today in Washington,” said State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

 

“He underscored the importance of enhancing economic ties, fair market access, and collaboration in tackling illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking.”

 

Landau, posting on X (formerly Twitter), described the India-US relationship as being at a “historic zenith” and noted it was a key strategic partnership for the 21st century.

 

Following the meeting, the Indian Embassy said Misri had a “great first meeting” with Landau, where they reviewed the full scope of the bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their shared priorities.

 

Misri also held inter-agency discussions with Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor, focusing on strategic and technological cooperation under the India-US Compact for the 21st Century.

 

The talks were held at the White House, with the US side led by Assistant to the President and Deputy NSA Andy Baker, along with senior official Michael Needham.

 

The embassy said deliberations included the implementation of the TRUST initiative, collaboration in defence and energy, and strengthening multilateral forums such as the Quad, IMEEC, and I2U2.