Blinken on important India visit to boost ties

New Delhi, Jul 27 (EFE).- The United States’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday arrived in India for a visit that includes discussions on the security situation in Afghanistan, climate change and an alliance to counter the growing Chinese influence.

During his two-day visit, Blinken is set to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

This is the second high-level India visit of an American official under the Joe Biden administration.

Blinken is set to focus on international issues of mutual interest, such as the global economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, relations in the Indo-Pacific region, the climate crisis and cooperation through international organizations, his office said in a statement on Tuesday.

The department of state said that “the US and India are also closely coordinating on regional security issues, such as Afghanistan.”

The efforts come at a critical juncture after Washington’s decision to withdraw troops from the war-afflicted country.

The Taliban’s rapid territorial gains have triggered concerns in New Delhi, which offered major aid, recognition and funding to the current government in Kabul after the insurgents were ousted from power in 2001, following the US invasion.

The consolidation of the Indo-Pacific alliance is another major topic on Blinken’s agenda and is of great importance for both countries.

The Indo-Pacific engagement is a legacy of the Barack Obama administration (2009-2017), and is seen as an effort to check the growing Chinese influence in the region.

“The United States supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and vital partner in efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity and economic inclusion,” said the US statement.