EYES ON MATTIS IN SINGAPORE
He will face pressure to address issue of US-North Korea summit
WHEN United States Defense Secretary James Mattis attends a security summit here this weekend, he hopes to assure allies of America’s commitment to the region and its aim of checking China’s rise.
But the issue the Pentagon chief may well be faced with most often is one he would prefer not to weigh in on: what on Earth will happen between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump?
Mattis, whose department has spent years refining military options against North Korea and its nuclear programme, wants to steer clear of speculation surrounding a possible meeting between the two leaders.
“We continue with the diplomatically-led campaign,” Mattis said as he headed to the ShangriLa dialogue here, referring questions on the issue to the State Department.
Events between the US and North Korea have been evolving rapidly, after the mercurial Trump called off a historic summit with Kim, only to immediately reverse course.
The two men are now apparently back on track to meet in June, also in Singapore.
So, instead of focusing on the possible summit with North Korea, Mattis wants to push the message that Washington is steadfast in its backing of the Asia-Pacific region.
Mattis is giving a speech today, but this year’s keynote is by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is expected to outline India’s growing regional role.
He will be the first Indian prime minister to address the dialogue.
Modi is likely to lay out his country’s expanding security role in the Indo-Pacific.
India has stepped up its naval activity across the Indian Ocean to balance China’s rising presence. Modi is expected to advertise India’s interest in developing port infrastructure in the region.
Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana presidential palace yesterday on the sidelines of the dialogue.
During their meeting, Lee congratulated Mohamad on his appointment as defence minister, according to a statement by the Singapore Defence Ministry.
It said Lee and Mohamad affirmed the close relations and extensive cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia.
They discussed continuing defence cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia.