US unfurls new N Korea strategy as talks begin

US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Monday opened the G7’s first in-person talks in two years by presenting the new administration’s fresh approach on North Korea, which has already denounced it.

With Covid-19 raging in India but coming under control in the West, Britain welcomed foreign ministers of the club of wealthy democracies to London to discuss a post-pandemic agenda and prepare for a G7 summit in England next month.

India, South Korea, South Africa and Asean bloc chair Brunei were invited as guests to the three days of talks, which could also address rising tensions with Russia and China, the situation in Afghanistan, and ways to revive the Iran nuclear deal.

Blinken met separately at his hotel with the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea days after US President Joe Biden completed a review on the North Korea policy.

The Biden administration’s new policy proposes a middle ground by moving away from former president Donald Trump’s unsuccessful bid to reach a far-reaching agreement that, after seven decades, could finally bring an official end to the Korean War. The US also said it would engage with North Korea.

Blinken raised the growing turbulence in Myanmar with Japan and Brunei, about a week after Asean leaders invited the junta chief to a summit and urged an end to the violence.

UK, Japan strengthen security partnership

Britain and Japan agreed to deepen their trade and security cooperation, the British foreign office said after a meeting between Dominic Raab and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi. Foreign minister Raab thanked Motegi for Japan’s support for Britain’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.