US unfurls new N Korea strategy as talks begin

LONDON: 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 policy proposes a middle ground by moving away from Donald Trump’s bid to reach a far-reaching agreement that, after seven decades, could finally bring an official end to the Korean War.

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.

WHO requests G7 to step up and combat Covid-19

The WHO has pleaded with the G7 to dig deep and fund the global Covid-19 recovery, warning the crisis cannot be resolved worldwide if they do not step up. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom urged the G7 to take decisive action at their June 11-13 summit, to be held in Cornwall, UK.