- Sunday, November 24, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
UNITED States secretary of state Antony Blinken on Wednesday (28) met two top Indian officials – national security advisor Ajit Doval and external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar — during his two-day visit to New Delhi.
With both the officials, Blinken had talks over various issues, including the rapidly evolving security situation in Afghanistan and improving Indo-Pacific engagement and enhancing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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“A broad-based, multi-sectoral, global comprehensive strategic partnership. EAM @DrSJaishankar welcomes US Secretary of State @SecBlinken,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted with a photograph of the two leaders.
Before meeting Jaishankar, Blinken met Doval and had talks over Afghanistan and other issues. Earlier, the US diplomat met a number of civil society leaders and said later that the US and India share a commitment to democratic values and it is part of the bedrock of the relationship.
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“I was pleased to meet civil society leaders today. The US and India share a commitment to democratic values; this is part of the bedrock of our relationship and reflective of India’s pluralistic society and history of harmony. Civil society helps advance these values,” he tweeted.
I was pleased to meet civil society leaders today. The U.S. and India share a commitment to democratic values; this is part of the bedrock of our relationship and reflective of India’s pluralistic society and history of harmony. Civil society helps advance these values. pic.twitter.com/5NL2WiQ13o
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 28, 2021
This is Blinken’s maiden visit to India after assuming charge of the state department and the third by a high-ranking official of the Joe Biden administration that came to office in January.
As Blinken reached New Delhi on Tuesday (27) evening, the US state department said Washington backs New Delhi’s emergence as a leading global power and vital partner in efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains a one of peace, stability and growing prosperity and economic inclusion.
“India is a leading global power and a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” it said in a fact sheet on ties between the two democracies.
Afghanistan remains a top agenda of discussion between India and the US as the situation there has worsened once the US-led troops have started withdrawing to meet the drawdown deadline of August 31. India is worried that the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the revival of the Taliban could bolster terror elements and their sponsors in Pakistan to jeopardise its security interests.
