New Delhi (India), January 29 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Thursday and expressed confidence that under Gor India-US ties would be further strengthened. In a post on X he said, "Pleased to meet USAmbIndia Sergio Gor today in New Delhi. Our conversation covered the many dimensions of our partnership. Welcomed him and expressed confidence that he would contribute to the strengthening of India - US relations." In a post on X, the US Ambassador said that the two held discussions on several areas like defence, trade and critical minerals. He wrote, "Always a pleasure to spend time with DrSJaishankar. We had a highly substantive discussion that covered everything from defense, trade, critical minerals, and working towards our common interests. Stay tuned for much more!" The meeting comes as EAM Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United States next week, sources said on Wednesday. The US Department of State had said earlier this month that the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, to be held on February 4 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will bring together partners from across the globe to strengthen cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. The State Department said in a post that the ministerial will focus on enhancing international collaboration to secure reliable, resilient critical mineral supply chains, which are essential to the US's economic and national security, technological leadership, and energy transition. "On February 4, Secretary Rubio will welcome partners from across the globe to the State Department for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial. Strengthening critical mineral supply chains with our international partners is vital to America's economic and national security, technological leadership, and a resilient energy future," the State Department stated. Earlier on January 25, a US congressional delegation and held wide-ranging discussions with EAM Jaishankar on several aspects of bilateral ties, the Indo-Pacific, and the conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted the interactions as an important aspect of the relationship between New Delhi and Washington. In a post on X, Jaishankar shared that he interacted with US Reps Mike Rogers of Alabama, Adam Smith of Washington state, and Jimmy Patronis of Florida, as well as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. In a post on X, Ambassador Gor called the meeting productive and how it would gave boost to India-US ties for stronger security, expanded trade and cooperation on critical technologies. He wrote on X, "Just wrapped a productive meeting with EAM DrSJaishankar, RepMikeRogersAL, RepAdamSmith, and JimmyPatronis on ways to strengthen U.S.-India partnership for stronger security, expanded trade, and cooperation on critical technologies." Earlier Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Senator Steve Daines and the US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, and had a productive exchange of views on the bilateral relationship front. (ANI)