Afghanistan, Quad meet to be focus of Blinken’s India visit
NEW DELHI: The rapidly deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and preparations for the first in-person Quad Summit are expected to figure in the agenda for US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s maiden visit to India next week.
Blinken, the third senior member of the Biden administration to travel to India after defense secretary Lloyd Austin in March and special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry in April, will meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on July 28. His discussions with his Indian interlocutors will cover issues such as the continued cooperation on Covid-19 response efforts, Indo-pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values and addressing the climate crisis, the US state department said in a statement.
The situation in Afghanistan and cooperation at the UN will be part of the discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the external affairs ministry said.
India has watched with growing concern as the rapid drawdown of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan has coincided with a violent offensive by the Taliban in recent weeks to capture territory and crucial border crossings with Iran, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Indian diplomats and security personnel were recently evacuated from the consulate in southern Kandahar city following a surge in clashes.
People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that Blinken’s visit will allow the two sides to hold consultations on the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan, especially India’s concerns about the Taliban’s unfettered campaign to expand its influence before any possible peace negotiations aimed at finding a political settlement.
India is also expected to convey its concerns about Pakistan’s efforts to limit the country’s role in Afghanistan and the presence of thousands of Pakistani terrorists on Afghan soil and the implications for regional peace.
Blinken’s visit will coincide with a previously scheduled trip to the Indian capital by Afghanistan Army chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai during July 27-30.
Under the rubric of Indo-pacific engagement, India and the US are expected to discuss preparations for the first in-person summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue later this year. The two sides are also expected to discuss China’s aggressive activities across the region.
The two sides will also discuss ways to give fresh impetus to the Quad’s Covid vaccine partnership, which is largely dependent on India’s role as a supplier. Modi’s proposed visit to the US and bilateral trade issues too could come up in the talks.