US secy of state Tillerson to visit India, Pak next week as part of a 5-nation tour
US Secretary scheduled to visit India next week
Just days ahead of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to India that will take place next week, India praised his recent statement that the US is a reliable partner to India, saying it “highlighted our shared commitment to a rule-based international order”.
New Delhi’s reaction is being seen as more proof of the ever-strengthening Indo-US ties which is being seen as a counterweight to the SinoPakistani relationship in the region.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, ‘’Secretary Tillerson has made a significant policy statement on India-US relations and its future. He brought out its various strengths and highlighted our shared commitment to a rule-based international order. We appreciate his positive evaluation of the relationship and share his optimism about its future directions. We look forward to welcoming him in India next week for detailed discussions on further strengthening of our partnership.’’
In a statement on October 18 at a think-tank in Washington at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Mr. Tillerson had been quoted by media reports from there as stating,
“In this period of uncertainty and angst, India needs a reliable partner on the wporld stage. I want to make it clear that with our shared values and vision for global stability, peace and prosperity, the US is that partner.”
Slamming China, Mr. Tillerson was further quoted as saying, “The US seeks constructive relations with China. But we won’t shrink from China’s challenges to the rulesbased order, or where China subverts the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and disadvantages the US and our friends.”
He also compared this to India that “operates within a framework that protects other nations’ sovereignty.”
Significantly, India on Friday used the same phrase-”rules-based order” to praise Mr. Tillerson whose statement is seen as a strong hint towards what China did at Doklam.
In this period of uncertainty and angst, India needs a reliable partner on the wporld stage. I want to make it clear that with our shared values and vision for global stability, peace and prosperity, the US is that partner.