<span style="color: #222222;">External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met US Secretary of Defense LIoyd J Austin in Washington. In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said, Defence and Security cooperation is a key pillar of the contemporary India-US partnership. Both leaders noted the steady progress in policy exchange, interoperability, defense trade, service exercises and military-industrial cooperation. They also exchanged perspectives on the Ukraine conflict, Indo-Pacific developments, maritime challenges and regional issues.<br />''<br />''Dr Jaishankar also met US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The External Affairs Minister said, the conversation covered resilient supply chains, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, high technology cooperation, semiconductors and business promotion. Dr Jaishankar said, he is looking forward to see Ms Raimondo in India.<br />''<br />''The External Affairs Minister began his Washington DC program with a Round Table organized by the National Science Foundation, NSF. He thanked Director Dr. S. Panchanathan for putting together a great selection of policy, research, industry and academia. The session covered tech security, trusted research and talent development. Dr Jaishankar said, he is encouraged by the enthusiasm for India-US partnership in these domains.</span><br />