Page 3 - Antony Blinken

Blinken vows US support for Israel despite unease over govt

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday the US will not shrink from its unwavering support for Israel despite stark differences with Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu and concerns the Biden administration may have about potential members of his incoming right-wing government. Speaking to a left-leaning group that some on the right accuse of being too sympathetic to the Palestinians and Iran, Blinken said the United States will remain a stalwart friend of Israel even as it pursues goals that Netanyahu has opposed, including a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a restoration of the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The US-Israel partnership and all that it's produced for the people of our nations and the world has always been underwritten by the United States ironclad commitment to Israel's security, a commitment that has never been stronger than it is today, he said. Blinken said the Biden administration would engage with Netanyahu's governme

China's repressive action against Covid protesters shows weakness: Blinken

As millions have been affected by China's Covid Zero policy, US's Antony Blinken called Beijing's "repressive" action against the protesters over the Covid lockdown "a sign of weakness"

NATO ministers meet to drum up more aid, arms for Ukraine against Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his NATO counterparts are gathering in Romania on Tuesday to drum up urgently needed support for Ukraine, including deliveries of electrical components for the war-torn country's devastated power transmission network. Ukraine's grid has been battered countrywide since early October by targeted Russian strikes, in what U.S. officials call a Russian campaign to weaponise the coming winter cold. Ahead of the meeting, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to use winter as a weapon of war against Ukraine and that NATO's allies and Ukraine need to be prepared for more attacks. The meeting in the capital Bucharest is likely to see NATO make fresh pledges of nonlethal support to Ukraine: fuel, generators, medical supplies, winter equipment and drone-jamming devices. Blinken will announce substantial U.S. aid for Ukraine's energy grid, U.S. officials said Individual allies are also likely to

Together with India, US will work to bring justice: Blinken on 26/11

"As we mark 14 years since the horrific attacks of 26/11, we join people in India and around the world in mourning the lives lost," Blinken

India is an invaluable partner: US State Department on Jaishankar-Blinken

The United States supports India's G-20 presidency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted as he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Cambodia on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

Jaishankar discusses Ukraine war, Indo-Pacific with Blinken in Cambodia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday and discussed the Ukraine conflict, the strategic Indo-Pacific region and bilateral relations on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India summit here in the Cambodian capital. Jaishankar is accompanying Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is leading the Indian delegation to the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 17th East Asia Summit here. A good meeting with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. Discussed Ukraine, Indo-Pacific, energy, G20 and bilateral relations, Jaishankar said in a tweet. He also met UN chief Antnio Guterres at the end of the ASEAN gala dinner on Saturday. Jaishankar held also talks with his counterpart from Thailand Don Pramudwinai. Always nice to catch up with DPM & FM Don Pramudwinai of Thailand. Discussed our shared regional concerns and the strengthening partnership with ASEAN, he said. Met Canadian colleagues Trade Minister @mary_ng and FM @melaniejoly at the ASEAN gal

Diaspora group launches petition urging Blinken to reduce visa wait time

A US-based diaspora body on Tuesday launched an online petition campaign urging the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to reduce the long waitlist for various types of American visas being issued from India. "We request the State Department, Secretary of State Mr Anthony Blinken and the US embassies in India to eliminate wait times for visa appointments in India. "Even after a two-year-long Covid-era pause in visa appointments at the US embassies in India, the visa appointment situation is far from normal, requiring 300 to 900 days of wait time based on the visa types, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies or FIIDS said launching its online petition campaign. As per travel.state.gov reports on October 31, there is an average 900+ days' wait time for appointments for visitors' visa (B1/B2), an average 400 days' wait time for students (F, M,J) and an average 300 days' wait time for petition-based temp workers like H, L, O, P and Q across the USA consulates in India (Mumbai,

US Secretary of State Blinken discusses Ukraine war with EAM Jaishankar

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and discussed the ongoing Ukraine war, counterterrorism and other regional and global issues. Jaishankar thanked Blinken for his "strong and clear message" on counter-terrorism as well as his call for holding those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accountable. The two leaders spoke on Saturday. The two discussed regional and global issues, including counterterrorism cooperation and Russia's continuing aggression against Ukraine, Ned Price, spokesperson of the State Department said in a readout of the call on Saturday. "Good to speak to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. Thanked him for his strong and clear message yesterday on counter-terrorism and 26/11 accountability. Discussed the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues," Jaishankar tweeted on Saturday. Blinken, while addressing an informal session of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (

S Jaishankar speaks to Blinken, thanks him for message on counter terrorism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and thanked him for his "strong and clear message" on counter-terrorism as well as his call for holding those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accountable. In a tweet, Jaishankar said the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues also figured in the meeting. "Good to speak to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. Thanked him for his strong and clear message yesterday on counter-terrorism and 26/11 accountability. Discussed the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues," Jaishankar tweeted. Blinken, addressing an informal session of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in Mumbai via video message on Friday, said allowing the architects of the Mumbai attacks to go unpunished will send wrong message. "We have a responsibility to the victims and to people everywhere to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, including

UN Security Council should be more inclusive: US Secretary Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Tuesday stressed the need for making the United Nations Security Council more inclusive. "We recognize that to meet the challenges we face, members of the UN must not only uphold the charter, but also modernise the institution, including by making the Security Council more inclusive," Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with visiting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "That's why, in his address to the General Assembly, President (Joe) Biden expressed his support for increasing the number of both permanent and non-permanent representatives of the Security Council, a long-standing goal of India," he said. "This includes permanent seats for those nations we've long supported, and permanent seats for countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean," the top American diplomat said. Jaishankar, who arrived in the city from New York wherein he attended the UN General Assembly Sessions, said the reform of the UN is a particularly .

'US could not agree more with Modi's 'this is not an era of war' remarks'

On ties with India, Blinken said that the partnership between the two countries is one of most consequential in the world

US defends move to approve F-16 jet fleet sustainment programme to Pak

The US on Tuesday defended its decision to approve a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan, saying it is "our obligation" to provide military equipment to ensure that the planes are maintained and sustained to bolster Islamabad's capability to deal with "clear" terrorist threats. Early this month, the Biden administration reversed the decision of the previous Trump administration to suspend military aid to Islamabad for providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, and approved the F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the US, has questioned the rationale behind Washington's USD 450 million F-16 security assistance to Pakistan. "This is a sustained program for F-16s that Pakistan has long had. These are not new, this is sustaining what they have. We've a responsibility and obligation to whomever we provide military equipment to, that it's ...

India-US partnership one of the most consequential in the world: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said both India and Unites States have made real progress in elevating their partnership through institutions like QUAD and G20

Spike in oil price is breaking India's back, says Jaishankar in US

India, which has a USD 2,000 per capita economy, is concerned over the spike in the price of oil due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and it is "breaking our back," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after holding bilateral talks, Jaishankar said there is a very deep concern among developing countries about how their energy needs are addressed. Speaking about the Ukraine war, he said: "We have taken the position privately, publicly, confidentially and consistently that this conflict is not in anybody's interest." The best way forward is to return to dialogue and diplomacy, he said. "Look, we have concerns about the price of oil but we are a USD 2,000 per capita economy. When the price of oil is breaking our back and it's our big concern," he said. Jaishankar was responding to a question on a cap on Russian oil. "In the past whenever we have been able to contribute something, we have b

China snaps at Blinken for asking Pak to seek debt relief from Beijing

China on Tuesday angrily retorted at the US call to Pakistan to seek debt relief from its all-weather ally Beijing to deal with the grim flood situation, saying that instead of passing "unwarranted criticism" against Sino-Pak cooperation, Washington should do something beneficial to Pakistani people. "We send a simple message. We are here for Pakistan, just as we were during past natural disasters, looking ahead to rebuild," US Secretary Antony Blinken was quoted as saying after talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Washington. "I also urged our colleagues to engage China on some of the important issues of debt relief and restructuring so that Pakistan can more quickly recover from the floods, Blinken said. As per the official data, more than 1,600 people have been killed and over 33 million affected due to the massive floods since mid-June, leaving the government at the mercy of international support. Reacting to Blinken's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministr

US, Pakistan discuss importance of managing 'responsible' ties with India

The importance of managing a "responsible relationship" with India and addressing the debt issue with China so that Pakistan can recover more quickly from the impact of the devastating floods were the key focus of the talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. During the meeting at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department on Monday, Blinken also said US and Pakistan will continue to work closely on counterterrorism issues. In our discussion today, we talked about the importance of managing a responsible relationship with India, and I also urged our colleagues to engage China on some of the important issues of debt relief and restructure so that Pakistan can more quickly recover from the floods, Blinken said at an event here to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of US-Pakistan relations. Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained over the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from ...

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from Sept 18 to attend UNGA, BRICS, Quad meets

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay an 11-day visit to the US beginning Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly and participate in meetings of Quad, BRICS and several other key groupings. He is also scheduled to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials of the Biden Administration. Jaishankar will be in New York from September 18 to 24, while he will visit Washington DC from September 25 to 28, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In New York, the external affairs minister (EAM) will be leading the India delegation for the "high-level week" at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), it said. The theme of the 77th UNGA is "A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges." Jaishankar's address at the UNGA session is scheduled in the forenoon of September 24. "In keeping with India's strong commitment to reformed multilateralism, the EAM will be hosting a ministerial meeting of the

Blinken, in Kyiv, unveils $2 bn in new US military aid for Europe

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday announced major new military aid worth more than 2 billion dollars for Ukraine and other European countries threatened by Russia. Blinken said the Biden administration would provide $2 billion in long-term military assistance to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbours, including NATO members and regional security partners most potentially at risk for future Russian aggression." That's on top of a $675-million package of heavy weaponry, ammunition and armoured vehicles for Ukraine alone that Defense Secretary Llloyd Austin announced earlier Thursday at a conference in Germany. The contributions bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $15.2 billion since the administration took office. Officials said the new commitments were intended to show that American support for the country in the face of Russia's invasion is unwavering. The announcements came as fighting between Ukraine and Russia has intensified in recent days, with Ukrainian forces moun

US will continue to seek justice for Uyghurs, says Blinken after UN report

This comes after the United Nations report published on August 31, stating that the Chinese government has committed abuses that may amount to crimes against humanity

US announces $30 mn humanitarian aid to Pak as it battles deadly floods

The United States on Tuesday announced USD 30 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan as it battles one of the worst floods in recent history. US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said, "We stand with Pakistan in this difficult time." "As Pakistan suffers from devastating flooding, the United States -- through the USAID -- is now providing USD30 million towards critical humanitarian assistance like food, safe water, and shelter," he said. The flooding has affected an estimated 33 million people and resulted in more than 1,100 deaths and over 1,600 injuries, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, told reporters during a conference call. "In addition, more than one million homes have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly 735,000 livestock a major source of livelihood and food have been lost, and the flooding has damaged roads and more than two million acres of agricultural land, he said. USAID (United States Agency for International Development) ...