Nirmala Sitharaman, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen Discuss Global Economic Outlook

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also congratulated U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion ‘American Rescue Plan,’ noting its focus on working and middle-class. (Ministry of Finance/Twitter photo)

NEW DELHI – Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman March 15 held a discussion on global economic outlook with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, wherein the latter appreciated India’s contribution to the world’s vaccine efforts.

As a part of its vaccine diplomacy, New Delhi has been providing India-made Covishield vaccines to other nations through its ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative.

Taking to Twitter, the Ministry of Finance shared that both sides agreed to work closely through common economic and strategic collaboration in various multilateral fora, including the upcoming G20 summit.

“Finance Minister @nsitharaman had a fruitful discussion on global economic outlook with US Secretary of Treasury @JanetYellen virtually. Dr Yellen appreciated India’s contribution to the world’s vaccine efforts,” the ministry tweeted.

“FM @nsitharaman and US Treasury Secretary agreed to work closely through common economic and strategic collaboration in various multilateral fora, including the G20,” it added in a subsequent tweet.

The ministry also said that Sitharaman and Yellen exchanged notes on the economic issues of mutual interest and looked forward to the meeting of the India-U.S. Economic and Financial Partnership later this year.

The finance minister also congratulated Yellen on U.S. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion ‘American Rescue Plan,’ noting its focus on working and middle-class.

The House of Representatives last week approved the Senate-passed version of the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature. The House of Representatives voted 220-211 to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.