New Delhi, 10 November 2023 (WAI): Focusing on security concerns in light of the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region, China, and the Israel-Hamas conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Indian authorities on Friday.
During the yearly “two-plus-two” meetings with Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh and foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin focused on “defense and security cooperation,” according to India.
In his opening remarks, Blinken stated, “We want a free, open, and flourishing Asia-Pacific, including by strengthening our ties in the Quad with Japan and Australia.” He said the US supported a rule-based system in which maintaining world peace is essential to fortifying close ties with other countries.
As per Secretary Blinken, there is a robust strategic connection between the United States and India. They plan to deliberate on significant issues that have long-term ramifications. “This is the future,” reporters were assured.
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, stated that the situation in Gaza was highly concerning. He continued by saying that India has consistently embraced a position of peace, sovereignty, and a workable State of Palestine via respectable diplomatic talks with acknowledged boundaries.
“The conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are serious problems. China’s capabilities and actions in the Pacific have led both the US and India to view it as a revisionist state, according to former naval officer C. Uday Bhaskar.
Also Read: Blinken concerns Gaza ceasefire might facilitate Hamas’ reformation
Secretary Blinken also organized a flurry of diplomacy with neighbors to demonstrate solidarity over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He coordinated a collective reaction with other partners to stop the divisions in Gaza from worsening.
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June visit to the US, the countries adopted a military industry strategy framework. The goals are facilitating cooperative manufacturing of cutting-edge military systems and encouraging teamwork in prototype testing and research.
An International Relations graduate, with a keen interest in diverse areas of IR; diplomacy, global politics & human rights.
