Jaishankar Begins Crucial 3-Day US Visit Amid Strained India-US Ties

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar embarked on a three-day visit to the US starting February 2.
• The primary purpose of the visit is to attend a Washington-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals supply chain.
• Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials of the Trump administration.
• The visit is seen as an opportunity to address the significant downturn in relations between India and the US.
• India-US ties have been strained due to issues like increased tariffs on Indian goods, US claims on India-Pakistan conflict, and new immigration policies.

Why It Matters: Jaishankar's US visit aims to address critical mineral supply chains and mend strained bilateral relations.