US SoS 'ANTONY BLINKEN' TO VISIT INDIA
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be visiting India on July 27-28, 2021 for the first time after assuming office. As the Indian officials look forward to his visit, the government also attaches considerable significance to Blinken’s visit and looks forward to taking forward the conversation with the US on various issues, be it Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan, Bilateral, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, addressing COVID-19, or the global developments. The visit by the US State Secretary is the continuance of high-level visits from the Biden Administration after the visits by the US Special Envoy on Climate Change Jon Kerry in April 2021 and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2021.
US STATE SECRETARY'S VISIT TO INDIA
Issues such as augmenting the trade and investment, and tapping opportunities in education, healthcare, innovation, digital domain, and security, will be important elements of conversation. In defence, both India and the US are expected to explore ways and means to deepen the collaboration. This will cover the exercises, policy exchanges, and defence transfers and technologies. As both nations grapple with the pandemic, discussions will be held on the containment of the virus and the pandemic recovery efforts. India will also press for the gradual resumption of international travel while maintaining the health protocols. It will ease the mobility of business travellers, professionals, humanitarian cases, students, family reunions, etc.
The need for the resilient supply chains of critical medicines and healthcare equipment is also likely to come up. On COVID vaccines, India will continue to push to ensure the open and consistent supply chains for the materials and the items required for the vaccine production, as India increases both the domestic vaccination and for global supplies thereafter.
OTHER AREA OF PRIORITY
- Quad engagement - During Antony Blinken’s two-day visit to India, discussions on deepening the Quad engagement are also expected to be the key focus area, with the possibility of a Foreign Ministerial Quad Meeting later in 2021. India and the United States will also take forward the Quad vaccine initiative in order to enable the supply of the vaccines produced in India from early 2022 to the nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Massive Violence in Afghanistan - Massive violence in Afghanistan will be the central issue, the need for sustained pressure on Pakistan on terror financing, implications of the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan and terror havens will also be part of the agenda
- Indo-Pacific region - Both India and the US will exchange assessments about the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on the economic slowdown, COVID assistance, and the security scenario. The latest developments taking place in Central and West Asia are also likely to be covered.
- Climate Change - It remains an important area of conversation between India and the US, particularly the potential for green collaborations as well as climate finance and the transfer of clean technologies to developing nations.
- Other global issues - Political and cultural rebalancing, India’s support to multipolar, democratic, and diverse world order, equity and fairness, whether in climate change, development or global decision-making will also come up.
- India’s presidency at UN - The talks will also cover working together in the United Nations, particularly with India holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in August 2021.
CURRENT STATE OF INDIA-US TIES
Defence: India and US inked important defence pacts in the last few years and also formalised the four nation alliance of QUAD. The alliance is seen as an important counter to China in the Indo-Pacific. The Malabar exercise in November 2020 portrayed a high point in Indo-US strategic ties, it was the first time in 13 years that all four countries of QUAD came together sending a fir message to China. India now has access to american bases from Djibouti in Africa to Guam in the Pacific. It can also access advanced communication technology used in US defence.
Trade: The previous US government ended India’s special trade status and also imposed several bans, India also retaliated with bans on 28 US products. Current US government has allowed all the bans by the previous government to expire.
Indian Diaspora: There is a growing presence of Indian diaspora in all spheres in the US. For example the current Vice-President (Kamala Harris) of the US has a strong Indian connection. There are several Indian origin people holding strong leadership positions in the current US administration.
Covid-Cooperation: When the US was reeling under a deadly Covid wave last year, India rushed important medical supplies and eased export restrictions to help the country. Initially the US showed hesitancy in returning the favour when India needed it, however the US quickly changed its stance and rushed supplies to India.
CONCLUSION
There is a huge potential to boost bilateral trade between the countries especially on account of increasing anti-China sentiment in both the nations. Thus, the negotiation should focus on the resolution of various non-tariff barriers and other market access improvements as early as possible. In order to counter China in the maritime domain, India needs to fully engage with the US and other partners in the Indo-pacific region, in order to preserve the freedom of navigation and the rules-based order. In international politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. In such a scenario India must continue to pursue its foreign policy of strategic hedging.
TEST YOURSELF
Q.1 Which of the following is the current United States Secretary of State in Joe Biden's administration?
- Lloyd James Austin
- Jake Sullivan
- Antony Blinken: ANSWER
- None of the above
Q.2 Which of the following will be the key areas for discussion & Cooperation during the US Secretary of State's visit to India?
- Massive violence in Afghanistan will be the central issue, the need for sustained pressure on Pakistan on terror financing, implications of the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan.
- Both India and the US will exchange assessments about the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on the economic slowdown, COVID assistance, and the security scenario.
- The talks will also cover working together in the United Nations, particularly with India holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council
- I & III follows
- Only II follows
- II & III follows
- All of the above
Q.3 Which of the following is correct regarding the USIBC formed in 1975 between India & the United States of America?
- Business Advocacy Organisation: ANSWER
- Defence Organisation between India & US
- Joint Venture between ISRO & NASA
- None of the following
Q.4 In November 2020 which of the following countries has joined the Malabar Exercise was the first time in 13 years that all four countries of QUAD came together?
- Japan
- United States of America
- Australia: ANSWER
- None of the above
Q.5 Consider the given statements & state which of the following is/are incorrect in the reference to the Indo-US bilateral relationship?
- Both are united in confronting Covid-19 together & in dealing with the challenge posed by climate change.
- The bilateral Strategic Energy Partnership was launched in April 2020 under which India has started importing crude and LNG from the US: ANSWER
- A foundational military agreement was signed that allows for the sharing of encrypted communications and equipment (COMCASA- Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement).
- None of the following
