S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, will begin a four-day visit to America from 16 August to attend a number of UN Security Council events including a briefing on terrorism that will be held under India's presidency of the powerful body. The Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar will also preside over an open debate on peacekeeping at the UNSC. Jaishankar's visit to New York is taking place in the backdrop of the Taliban's rapid onslaught in Afghanistan and the issue is likely to figure in his talks with UN officials. An MoU between India and the UN in support to the 'Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping' initiative is expected to be signed during the visit. It said Jaishankar will also have bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of other member states on the sidelines of the UNSC events.

Source: Mint August 15, 2021 16:18 UTC