Rights, democracy ‘crucial for India’
Jaishankar to tell US secretary of India values
BLINKEN, WHO will be in New Delhi on July 2728, will meet Jaishankar on July 28 and discuss a whole range of issues including Afghanistan. He will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The developments in Afghanistan, with a resurgent Taliban advancing rapidly and capturing more territory to oust the elected government of President Ashraf Ghani, will be the key subject of the agenda when US secretary of state Antony Blinken holds talk with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian leaders next week.
Blinken, who will be in New Delhi on July 27-28, will be on his first visit to India as secretary of state. He will meet Jaishankar on July 28 and discuss a whole range of issues including Covid-19 containment measures, besides Afghanistan. He will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India will push for an early resumption of international travel, especially easing mobility for students, business travellers and professionals, and for family reunions, humanitarian cases, etc.
The developments in Afghanistan have serious security implications for India and keeping up the pressure on Pakistan to prevent the export of terror will be among the key talking points.
Sources said Blinken’s visit will be an opportunity to consolidate bilateral cooperation. Issues like trade and investment, and opportunities in healthcare, education, the digital domain, innovation and security will be key elements of the conversation. Discussions will also cover working together in the UN, especially with India holding the presidency of the UN Security Council in August 2021.
The sources said New Delhi will also engage with the US on other global issues.
“Political and cultural rebalancing are important trends. India supports a truly multipolar, democratic and diverse world order and expects international conversations to reflect this evolution. We believe in equity and fairness, whether in development, climate change or global decision-making. Issues like human rights and democracy are universal and extend beyond a particular national or cultural perspective. India is proud of its achievements in both domains and is always glad to share experiences. As a longstanding pluralistic society, India is open to engaging those who now recognise the value of diversity,” the sources added.