S. Jaishankar The Diplomatic Atlas

Washington38°54′N / 77°02′W

Country dossiers · 7 files

Bilateral Relations

A dossier for each country where this publication holds enough verified official material. Each uses the same seven headings, and every figure carries its period and source. Relationships are described, not ranked.

United States

Washington · 38°54′N / 77°02′W

Official description: “comprehensive global strategic partnership” (MEA)

Relationship overview

The Ministry's brief describes a partnership that covers “almost all areas of human endeavor”. India has worked with successive US administrations, Republican and Democratic.

Historical context

Dr. Jaishankar served at the Embassy in Washington as First Secretary (1985–1988) and returned as Ambassador from December 2013 until he became Foreign Secretary in January 2015.

Key milestones

  • 2015“New Framework for India–US Defence Cooperation” renewed for ten years.
  • 2016Defence relationship designated a Major Defence Partnership; Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement signed.
  • 2018Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement.
  • 2020Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement.
  • 31 Jan 2023Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) launched by the two National Security Advisors.
  • Nov 2023Fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, New Delhi.

Trade & economic links

The MEA brief states that the US is India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods and services of US$190.1 billion in calendar year 2023. The brief cites US Census data.

Dr. S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shaking hands in front of Indian and US flags
38°54′N / 77°02′WWith US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Washington, D.C.Supplied collection

Strategic cooperation

The apex mechanism is the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which the External Affairs Minister and the Defence Minister co-chair with the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. Both countries are Quad members.

Recent engagement

  • 21 Jan 2025Bilateral talks with Secretary Rubio; Quad FMM, Washington.
  • 1 Jul 2025Quad FMM, Washington.
  • 22 Sep 2025Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA80.
  • 24 May 2026Joint press conference, New Delhi.

Official sources

China

Beijing · 39°54′N / 116°24′E

Diplomatic relations established 1 April 1950 (MEA)

Relationship overview

According to the MEA, India was the first country outside the socialist bloc to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, on 1 April 1950.

Historical context

The Ministry's brief calls the 1962 border conflict a setback and describes the 1988 visit of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi as the start of an improvement in ties. Dr. Jaishankar was Ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013.

Key milestones

  • 2003Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation; Special Representatives mechanism on the boundary question set up.
  • 2005Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.
  • Jan 2012Agreement creating the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs.
  • Apr–May 2020Incidents along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh; the MEA says these adversely affected relations.
  • 23 Oct 2024First full delegation-level leaders' talks in nearly five years (Kazan), after an agreement on patrolling arrangements.
  • 2025Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes; direct flights resume in October.

Trade & economic links

The MEA brief cited here gives no trade figures. Official trade data is published by the Department of Commerce on TRADESTAT.

Dr. S. Jaishankar shaking hands with a senior Chinese leader in a meeting hall with a large painting of the Great Wall
39°54′N / 116°24′EIndia–China engagement, Beijing, July 2025.Supplied collection

Dialogue mechanisms

The Special Representatives mechanism has held 24 rounds, the latest in New Delhi on 19 August 2025. The WMCC has met 35 times, most recently in Beijing on 28 May 2026. A Foreign Secretary-level strategic dialogue met in New Delhi on 10 February 2026.

Recent engagement

  • Dec 2024Statement to the Rajya Sabha on developments in India–China relations.
  • 14 Jul 2025Met Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Beijing.
  • 19 Aug 2025Met Foreign Minister Wang Yi, New Delhi.
  • 22 Jul 2026Met Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the EAS and ARF meetings.

Official sources

Russia

Moscow · 55°45′N / 37°37′E

Official description: “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” (since December 2010)

Relationship overview

The MEA brief traces the current framework to the “Declaration on the India–Russia Strategic Partnership”, signed in October 2000. The partnership was raised to its present designation during the Russian President's visit to India in December 2010.

Historical context

Dr. Jaishankar's first posting abroad was to Moscow (1979–1981), then the capital of the Soviet Union.

Key milestones

  • Oct 2000Declaration on Strategic Partnership.
  • Dec 2010Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
  • Dec 2021First 2+2 Dialogue of foreign and defence ministers.
  • 8–9 Jul 2024Annual Summit in Moscow. The MEA brief records 22 Annual Summits by then.

Trade & economic links

68.7US$ billion bilateral trade (a record, per MEA)Period: FY 2024–25Source: MEA India–Russia brief

Of this, India's exports were US$4.9 billion and its imports US$63.8 billion. The two sides have a revised target of US$100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

Dr. S. Jaishankar shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a formal hall at the Kremlin
55°45′N / 37°37′ECalling on Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, Moscow.Supplied collection

Strategic cooperation

The India–Russia Intergovernmental Commission has two divisions. The one on trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) is co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister and Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister. The other, on military and military-technical cooperation, is co-chaired by the defence ministers.

Recent engagement

  • Aug 2025Co-chaired the 26th IRIGC-TEC (20 August), met FM Lavrov and called on President Putin, Moscow.
  • 17–19 Nov 2025Visited Moscow for the SCO Heads of Government meeting, called on President Putin and inaugurated Consulates General in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.

Official sources

Japan

Tokyo · 35°41′N / 139°42′E

Official description: “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” (since 2014)

Relationship overview

Diplomatic relations began with a separate peace treaty concluded on 28 April 1952. The relationship was designated a “Global Partnership” in 2000, a “Strategic and Global Partnership” in 2006 and a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in 2014. Annual summits have been held since 2006.

Historical context

Dr. Jaishankar served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Tokyo from 1996.

Key milestones

  • 1 Aug 2011India–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement comes into effect.
  • 20 Aug 2024Third 2+2 Ministerial Meeting, New Delhi.

Trade & economic links

22.85US$ billion bilateral tradePeriod: FY 2023–24Source: MEA India–Japan brief

Of this, Japan's exports to India were US$17.69 billion and its imports from India US$5.15 billion.

Dr. S. Jaishankar shaking hands with his Japanese counterpart in front of Japanese and Indian flags
35°41′N / 139°42′EIndia–Japan bilateral meeting.Supplied collection · date not verified

Strategic cooperation

According to the MEA brief, Japan has agreed to lead cooperation on the connectivity pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. The two countries also work together in the Quad and in the India–Japan–Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative.

Official sources

France

Paris · 48°51′N / 2°21′E

Official description: “Special Global Strategic Partnership” (since February 2026)

Relationship overview

The Strategic Partnership began on 26 January 1998. According to the MEA, it was India's first with a Western nation and France's first with a non-Western nation. Defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space are named as its principal pillars.

Key milestones

  • 26 Jan 1998Strategic Partnership launched.
  • Jul 2023Horizon 2047 Roadmap adopted, marking 25 years of the partnership.
  • Feb 2026Relationship raised to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
  • Jun 2026Prime Minister's official visit to France (Nice, Evian and Paris).
Dr. S. Jaishankar shaking hands with his French counterpart in front of Indian, French and European Union flags
48°51′N / 2°21′EIndia–France bilateral meeting. Indian, French and EU flags.Supplied collection · date not verified

Recent engagement

  • Jan 2026Guest of honour at the 31st Conference of Ambassadors of France; called on President Macron; took part in the first India–Weimar Foreign Ministers' meeting.
  • 26–27 Mar 2026G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting with partner countries, France.

Official sources

Singapore

Singapore · 1°17′N / 103°51′E

Official description: “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” (since September 2024)

Relationship overview

India was one of the first countries to recognise Singapore, in 1965. Relations were raised to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the Prime Minister's visit on 4–5 September 2024.

Historical context

Dr. Jaishankar was High Commissioner to Singapore from 2007 to 2009. As Foreign Secretary, he spoke in Singapore on 11 July 2017 to mark 25 years of the India–Singapore partnership.

Recent engagement

According to the MEA brief, he visited Singapore as External Affairs Minister in November 2021, October 2023, March 2024, November 2024 and July 2025.

Official sources

Poland

Warsaw · 52°14′N / 21°01′E

Diplomatic relations established 1954 (MEA)

Relationship overview

India and Poland established diplomatic relations in 1954, and the Indian Embassy in Warsaw opened in 1957. The MEA brief describes Poland as India's key economic partner in Central Europe, especially since it joined the EU in 2004.

Recent engagement

  • 28–29 Aug 2019Visit to Poland as External Affairs Minister.
  • Sep 2026Official visit to Ukraine and the Republic of Poland (3–5 September).

Official sources