Bilateral talks in Aspen reinforce India-US cooperation on G20 financial track

At the G20 gathering in Aspen, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded a bilateral session that the Indian minister described as “positive and constructive.” The dialogue centred on the U.S. growth agenda, the need to correct global economic imbalances, and the push for greater financial literacy – all themes that India fully endorses.

Sitharaman stressed that the United States, as the current G20 chair, has placed development at the heart of the summit’s agenda. She added that the U.S. has highlighted global imbalances as a key concern and has given financial literacy a prominent role, reflecting Yellen’s personal commitment to the issue.

“India stands shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the United States on these priorities,” the finance minister said, emphasizing a shared vision for the summit’s outcomes.

Beyond the U.S., the Indian minister met with counterparts from Poland, Qatar, South Korea and Russia. Each encounter was characterized as “very positive,” with all parties expressing eagerness to deepen bilateral ties.

Sitharaman also hinted at a series of forthcoming bilateral economic meetings – a dialogue with South Korea is scheduled for later this year, and talks with Qatar will follow before the year ends.

She highlighted India’s strong economic performance, noting a 7.8% growth rate in the first quarter of FY 2026‑27, driven by a 9.2% rise in manufacturing and a 12.1% expansion in the services sector. These figures, she argued, demonstrate India’s resilience amid global headwinds.

The finance minister’s itinerary began with a visit to Canada, proceeded to discussions with funding agencies in Chicago, and culminated at the G20 summit in Aspen. Following the summit, she will travel to New York to engage with investors interested in the Indian market.