Blinken and Indian leaders on Wednesday will discuss a plethora of pressing issues such as the fluid situation in Afghanistan, regional security concerns, COVID-19 response and ways to boost Indo-Pacific engagement, people familiar with the agenda of talks said.
Introduced by the tycoon Lakshmi Niwas Mittal at the World Steel Association, the top administration official argued that the international system is changing and hence 'great,large countries' would have to be accommodated in that global framework.
'As Prime Minister Modi said, our ties are no longer just another partnership. It is a far greater and closer relationship'
The maiden bilateral meeting between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will further strengthen the US-India strategic ties and allow the leaders to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and how the two countries can work together to fight terrorism, a senior White House official has said.
"Contradicting the emerging narrative, Indian-Americans remain committed to the Democratic Party. Nearly three-quarters of registered Indian-American voters intend to support Joe Biden this Fall, compared to just 22 per cent for Donald Trump," it said.
India should mount a "strong response" to Pakistani firing across the Line of Control and increased border incursions by China, former Indian Army chief Gen (retd) V K Singh as said.
US Senator George LeMieux on Monday said India and the US must encourage trade and work towards reducing the barriers be it taxes and regulations.
A genuine attempt was made to reset relations in a positive way, signalling a stepping back from the brink of conflict, much to the relief of the world, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Rapid strides in digital payments notwithstanding, the Indian economy will likely remain cash-dependent for many years to come, at least that's what the automated teller machine makers and cash logistics companies are betting on. After growing at over 20 per cent for most of 2020, currency in circulation growth fell to 8.5 per cent as of October 29 this year, shows data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The reason for the steep rise in currency last year was the uncertainties related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, where people preferred to hoard cash to meet exigencies.
In a US-India Joint Leaders' Statement issued after the first in-person bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Friday, the two leaders underscored the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.
The US is working with countries, including India to reduce their dependence on Iranian oil, a top official has said, noting it understands the energy needs of New Delhi and its long-standing ties with Tehran.
The United States and India Tuesday asked the international community to take effective steps towards eliminating sanctuaries and infrastructure that support terrorism.
Two powerful US Senators have urged President Joe Biden not to impose provisions of the punitive Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act against India for buying the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia.
In a show of solidarity, the CEOs of some 40 top American companies have come together to create a global task force to mobilise resources to help India fight the battle against Covid-19.
The international community must be clear that such a behaviour is unacceptable, a top US senator said.
'There are three pillars of concern: The expansion of Hindu majoritarianism, the concentration of executive power and decay of independent institutions, and curbs on free expression and dissent.'
"A Biden administration will be mostly positive for India," said Rick Rossow from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "I expect most positive areas of cooperation -- notably defence -- to be maintained," he said.
An Indian economist in Washington has said that American companies should focus on long-term goals and not on short- term hurdles, as working towards that objective is more of 'a marathon' than 'a sprint'.
Bill Clinton was speaking to over 3,000 Indian-American Telugus, who had gathered in the cavernous ballroom of the Washington Convention Center and who gave him a sustained standing ovation at the beginning and end of his remarks.
China on Monday expressed the hope that the Taliban will stand by its commitment of establishing an "open and inclusive" Islamic government in Afghanistan and will ensure a peaceful transition of power without violence and terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi needs to call Biden next month and clearly say: 'Mr President, the threat from China is clear and present. We, in New Delhi, have determined it to be an urgent national priority to outfit our submarines and aircraft carriers with nuclear propulsion and we want to cooperate with America on this programme",' advises Ajai Shukla.
The terrible beauty of Doval's initiative is that it is all about a new journey rather than about a set compass pointing toward a pre-determined destination, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The senior State Department official stressed not only the kind of distances that have been traversed in the last several months -- over and beyond the civilian nuclear initiative -- but also in looking at what is in store down the road.
The United States has said that it is taking up steps with India to finalise the civilian nuclear initiative by coming to an understanding on the 123 agreement that is currently under discussion by the two sides.
'Part of the University's mission is to be of service to the state and having this centre devoted to building our state's cultural and economic relationship with India is consistent with that mission,' he said.
Both services will be attended by family and friends, and will offer an opportunity for loved ones to share intimate memories and thoughts about the musician.
The Pakistan Army is reported to have taken into custody one serving Brigadier and four Majors for having links with the Hizb-ut-Tehrir (Party of Liberation).
Intelligroup had, in 2007, acquired IGS Novasoft, a UK-based company, which had a good SAP implementation methodology, for $3 million (Rs 14.7 crore).
According to the Biden-Harris Transition, 'the president-elect noted that he looks forward to working closely with the prime minister on shared global challenges, including containing COVID-19 and defending against future health crises, tackling the threat of climate change, launching the global economic recovery, strengthening democracy at home and abroad, and maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region'.
The United States is closely monitoring the situation along the India-China border, a senior official said on Tuesday and expressed concerns over Beijing's pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours.
How do you see India-US relations following the reverses for the Republicans? Will the nuclear deal become a casualty?
Here's the full text of address to the nation by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of the Republic Day 2022.
Cornyn said he was hopeful that the full Senate will pass the agreement by the year end.
While Obama administration officials and representatives of US industry strongly expressed their angst over India's rejection of the American fighter aircraft but did not want to be quoted by name, leading South Asia policy wonks in Washington had no such compunctions in interviews with rediff.com.
Juster said as democracies, the US and India are committed to a rules based order as well as to peace and diplomacy.
Describing India as a "rising world power", US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher on Friday emphasised the need to fight the global menace of terrorism "jointly".
The strengthening ties between India and United States have made Pakistan paranoid. Fearing that US might just discard it, Pakistan is now turning to its "enduring friend" China, believe America's powerful couple in diplomatic circles -- former ambassadors Howard and Teresita Schaffer. Aziz Haniffa reports
