Devendra Kumar
Top diplomats and defense chiefs from India and the United States met on Friday to focus on security issues involving the Indo-Pacific, China, and the Israel-Hamas war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the strength of the US-India partnership, stating, “The future is now. We are promoting a free and open and prosperous Asia-Pacific, including by strengthening our partnership in the Quad with Japan and Australia.” Blinken also highlighted the importance of international peace and a rule-based order, as well as defense cooperation between the two countries.
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East, condemning the Hamas attack on Israel while advocating for direct negotiations towards a sovereign Palestinian state. However, Jaishankar also acknowledged that India has tried to balance its position, stating that the country has always advocated for the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side at peace with Israel.
The meeting also addressed a diplomatic dispute that erupted when Canada alleged that India was involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada. Blinken urged India to work with Canada on its investigation and to find a way to resolve the difference in a cooperative manner. This dispute is a significant concern, as Canada and India are two of the US’ closest friends and partners.
The situation in the Indo-Pacific region was also discussed, with Blinken emphasizing the importance of preventing existing differences from deepening. China’s recent intimidation of the Philippines is a matter of considerable relevance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as the four Quad nations, the US, Japan, India, and Australia. The dispute between China and the Philippines is not new, with several recent confrontations in the South China Sea, where several governments have overlapping claims.
India’s relationship with China has deteriorated since 2020, when Indian and Chinese troops clashed along their disputed border in the Himalayan Ladakh region, leaving 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead. A standoff involving thousands of soldiers in the eastern Ladakh region continues despite several rounds of military and diplomatic talks. The Line of Actual Control separates Chinese and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India’s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. India and China fought a war over their border in 1962.
The two-plus-two talks between India’s external affairs and defense minister and the US secretaries of state and defense have been held since 2018 to discuss issues of concern and strengthen bilateral ties. This meeting demonstrates the importance of the US-India relationship in addressing regional security challenges and promoting a free and open Asia-Pacific.