Jaishankar, US secy of state Blinken discuss Myanmar, Indo-Pacific
Signalling a consistency in American foreign policy, the new Joe Biden Administration said on Wednesday that it is “concerned by Beijing’s pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours” such as India, adding that the United States “would stand with (its) friends”.
The US state department also described India as “one of the most important partners in the IndoPacific region” of the US, adding that it “welcomes India’s emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region”.
Describing its Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with India as “both broad as well as multifaceted”, the US expressed “confidence that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue”.
Asked about human rights issues, the US state department said that “this applies not only to India but to every partner of ours across the board” and that the US is “committed to supporting democratic values, including a free and open civil society and the strong rule of law”.
Pointing out that it “regularly engages with the Government of India”, the US said the “shared commitment to democratic value is the bedrock for the US-India relationship” which is “in keeping with India’s own democratic values, its pluralistic values, and its history of tolerance”.
Asked about the phone conversation late on Tuesday between US secretary of state Antony J. Blinken and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, the US state department on Wednesday said that Mr Blinken expressed concern over the military coup and the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Burma (Myanmar), adding that both foreign ministers “also discussed regional developments, including the value of USIndia cooperation across the Indo-Pacific” and “looked forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change”.
At a media briefing in Washington, US state department spokesperson Ned Price said, “Well, we’re closely monitoring the situation. We note the ongoing talks between the governments of India and China, and we continue to support direct dialogue and a peaceful resolution of those border disputes. We are concerned by Beijing’s pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours. As always, we’ll stand with friends, we’ll stand with partners, we’ll stand with allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in, in this case, the Indo-Pacific.”
He added, “India is one of the most important partners in the IndoPacific region to us. We welcome India’s emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region. We cooperate on a wide range of diplomatic and security issues, including defence, nonproliferation, regional cooperation in the IndoPacific, counterterrorism, peacekeeping, the environment, health, education, technology, agriculture, space, and oceans.”
Asked about human rights issues in India, the US State Department Spokesperson said, “Well, what I can say – and this applies not only to India but to every partner of ours across the board – we are committed to supporting democratic values, including a free and open civil society and the strong rule of law. We regularly engage with the Government of India — including, as you referenced and I alluded to, today — on our shared commitment to democratic values. We believe it’s the bedrock for the USIndia relationship. And it’s actually in keeping, as you know, with India’s own democratic values, its pluralistic values, and its history of tolerance. So we regularly engage with our Indian counterparts...”