IN HIS first go to to India because the US Secretary of State subsequent week, Antony J Blinken will lay the groundwork for the primary in-person Quad leaders’ assembly in addition to the India-US 2+2 assembly to be held later this yr.
Besides discussing Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific and Covid-related cooperation, Blinken may also increase the problems of human rights and democracy. This was spelt out by the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs within the US administration, Dean Thompson, at a briefing on Saturday morning.
Responding to a query, Thompson stated that Blinken will increase problems with human rights and democracy with Indian officers throughout his first go to to New Delhi as the 2 nations have extra values in frequent on these fronts than in any other case.
“With respect to the human rights and democracy question, yes, you’re right; I will tell you that we will raise it, and we will continue that conversation, because we firmly believe that we Blinken visit to lay ground for Quad meet, US says will raise human rights issue have more values in common on those fronts than we don’t…we believe India is going to be a really important part of continuing those conversations and building strong efforts on those fronts in partnership as we go forward,” he stated.
Responding to a different query on the Pegasus spyware and adware telephone hacking controversy, he stated: “The whole notion of using this type of technology against civil society, or regime critics, or journalists, or anybody like that through extrajudicial means is always concerning. We, I, don’t have any particular special insights into the India case. I know this is a broader issue, but I will say that we’ve been, I think, quite vocal about trying to find ways for companies to be able to ensure that their technology is not used in these types of ways. And we will certainly continue to press those issues.”
Stressing that the connection with India is a “strong one that has endured through administrations of all colours and stripes” within the US and can proceed to take action, Thompson stated: “Our bilateral discussions with our Indian partners will focus on expanding our security, defence, cyber and counter-terrorism cooperation. We collaborate across the government on these issues, including through regular US-India working group meetings, and we look forward to further strengthening our ties with India to ensure a safer and more secure world. To that end, the Secretary and Defence Secretary (Lloyd J) Austin look forward to hosting their Indian counterparts for the annual US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year”.
On Afghanistan, he stated: “We intend to discuss our efforts to support a just and durable peace in Afghanistan. All of Afghanistan’s neighbours and countries in the region have an interest in a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, which can only be accomplished through a negotiated political settlement that brings an end to 40 years of conflict. India, of course, is a critical partner in the region, and we welcome India’s shared commitment to peace and supporting economic development in Afghanistan.”
Steering away from India-Pakistan bilateral points, Thompson stated: “With regard to India-Pakistan, I would just note that we strongly believe that India and Pakistan’s issues are ones for them to work out between themselves. We are pleased to see that the ceasefire that went into place earlier this year is – has – remained intact, and we certainly always encourage them to continue their efforts to find ways to build a more stable relationship going forward.”
Reminding that one of many first multilateral occasions that US President Joe Biden hosted this yr was a Quad summit along with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia, he stated the US is working with India and different pals and companions within the area to advance the shared imaginative and prescient of the Indo-Pacific – “free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values and respect for human rights, and where sovereignty is safeguarded”.
They may also talk about well being collaboration to fight Covid-19, together with the Quad vaccine partnership that was first introduced through the Quad summit.
Blinken is scheduled to reach in New Delhi on July 27. During his keep, he’ll meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in New Delhi that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval may also meet him.
