Asian Americans were overlooked and ignored by Republican and Democratic political parties. Among the American electorate, the number of eligible Asian American voters grew by 139 percent between 2000 and 2020. Thanks to the American peculiarity called 'naturalization'.
In 2020 presidential polls, as high as 4.7 percent of the American electorate will be ethnically Asian, the highest ever.
Being in India and Asia and yet campaigning for Donald Trump for next week’s do or die presidential polls are the goal of two top US policy makers – Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper. On a visit to India for the vital ‘2-Plus-2’ Ministerial Dialogue, the Secretary of State Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence Esper want to give a tough message to China overseas and a convincing message back home to the American voters. Incumbent President Trump has certainly made his China-centric onslaught a key part of his campaign to secure a second term against Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
In the process of course, things have turned ‘favourable’ to India, which has a vexed boundary issue with China and the crisis had aggravated in June when 20 of its soldiers were martyred.
Pompeo wooed India in quite an unambiguous manner.
“This morning we visited the National War Memorial (in Delhi) to honour the brave men and women of Indian armed forces including 20 who were killed by the PLA forces in the Galwan valley,” Pompeo told reporters at a joint media briefing alongside Esper and two Indian Ministers Rajnath Singh (Defence) and Dr S Jaishankar (External Affairs) on Tuesday, Oct 27.
“The US will stand with the people of India when they face threat to their sovereignty and their liberty,” he said.
Indian foreign minister Jaishankar, a former career diplomat, did not refer to China directly at the joint press conference but did speak about “national security convergences” with the United States.
This speaks of the determination to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and strategies to tackle security and counter-terrorism.
“Our national security convergences have obviously grown in a more multi-polar world. We meet today to not only advance our own interests but to ensure that our bilateral cooperation makes a positive contribution
to the world arena,” said Jaishankar. “We are also committed to addressing together global issues ranging from the High availability disaster recovery (HADR) situation to maritime security and counter-terrorism”.
Pompeo also lauded the role of leadership – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Trump, and said the ties between two large democracies are growing “stronger day by day”.
“Big things are happening as our democracies align to better protect the citizens of our two countries and indeed, of the free world,” Pompeo said.
Both Pompeo and Esper that China and Communist Party of China (CPC) of president Xi Jinping are named more than
once.
US Secretary of Defence, Esper, said both the countries stand “shoulder to shoulder” in support of a free and open Indo Pacific particularly in the wake of “increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China”.
 |
2-Plus-2: 2018
|
For his part, Pompeo said, “Our leaders and citizens see with increasing clarity that Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency… I am glad to say India and the US are taking all steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by CCP”.
Of course, China has dismissed the American accusations. “We urge Pompeo to abandon his Cold War mentality, zero-sum mindset, and stop harping on the ‘China threat’,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin
told a news briefing in Beijing.
In June, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troops at Galwan valley. The Modi government has sought closer military ties with the United States.
Keeping aside Chinese reservations, India also has invited Australia to join naval drills it holds each year with the United States and Japan.
This was acknowledged in the Joint Statement.
“The Ministers welcomed the inclusion of the Royal Australian Navy in the U.S.-India-Japan MALABAR Naval Exercise scheduled to be held in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea in November 2020. Highlighting the importance of deepening maritime cooperation and the growing sophistication of U.S.-India naval cooperation, the Ministers welcomed the PASSEX carried out by the Navies of both countries,” the statement said.
The US welcomed India’s co-hosting of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and Senior Enlisted Leader Forum in 2023. Both sides would also be looking forward
for enhanced cooperation and military exercises like Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar next year.
Pompeo, who would be visiting Sri Lanka,Indonesia and the Maldives as part of his major Asian outreach exercise, had said his deliberations with Indian and other South Asian leaders would “include discussions on how free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party”. Referring to his forthcoming visit to other Asian countries, Pompeo said, “collectively” both India and the US can build up on efforts and “do good things for the entire region together”.
Documents announced during the 3rd India - US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
October 27, 2020
1. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) between the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Department of Defense of United Sates of America.
Indian side: Ministry of Defence and US side: National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), Department of Defense of USA
2. Memorandum of Understanding for Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences between the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) of the Republic of India and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States of America
3. Arrangement extending the duration of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Government of United States of America concerning cooperation with the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership, India.
4. Agreement for the Electronic Exchange of Customs Data between the Postal Operators (India Post, Government of India and United States Postal Service, the United States of America)
5. Letter of Intent between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, Government of the Republic of India and the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and Cancer Research Indian side:
Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy of India
US side:
Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health of USA
 |
Doval and US Def, Secy Esper: New bond New style
|
President Donald Trump has certainly made his China-centric onslaught a key part of his campaign to secure a second term against Democratic candidate Joe Biden. In the process of course, things have turned 'favourable' to India, which has a vexed boundary issue with China and the crisis had aggravated in June when 20 of its soldiers were martyred.
Pompeo wooed India in quite an unambiguous manner.
He even told a television channel, known generally for being pro-PM Narendra Modi, that - "the United States was guilty too" and also "....for long time, we appeased Chinese and gave them exceptions (concessions)"
He further said: "This virus that was unleashed from Wuhan has devastated the economy and killed millions of people".
New Delhi: "Big things are happening", remarked the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the end of crucial '2-Plus-2' Ministerial dialogue with the Indian leaders here.
This clearly suggested that the deliberations and the outcome could be taken as shot in the arm for Indian diplomacy as China was named and shamed more than once.
Pompeo told a joint press conference: "Our leaders and citizens see with increasing clarity that Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency... I am glad to say India and the US are taking all steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by CCP".
In a significant announcement, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, both sides "also explored probable capacity building and other joint cooperation activities in third countries including our neighbourhood and beyond".
Pompeo accompanied US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper, participated at the third '2-Plus-2' meet with Indian counterparts Dr S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh respectively. NSA Ajit Doval met them separately and both sides discussed issues taking forward shared objectives and building capabilities across all domains.
The visiting US top policy makers and aides of President Donald Trump also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pompeo told a joint press conference: "Our leaders and citizens see with increasing clarity that Chinese Communist Party is no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency... I am glad to say India and the US are taking all steps to strengthen cooperation against all threats and not just those posed by CCP".
He lauded the role of leadership - Prime Minister Modi and the US President Trump, and said the ties between two large democracies are growing "stronger day by day".
"This morning we visited the National War Memorial to honour the brave men and women of Indian armed forces including 20 who were killed by the PLA forces in the Galwan valley," he said.
"The US will stand with the people of India when they face threat to their sovereignty and their liberty," he was more than specific perhaps.
Pompeo, who would be visiting Sri Lanka,Indonesia and the Maldives as part of his major Asian outreach exercise, had recently said his deliberations with Indian and other South Asian leaders would “include discussions on how free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party”.
Referring to his forthcoming visit to other Asian countries, Pompeo answering a media question also said, "collectively" both India and the US can build up on efforts and "do good things for the entire region together".
Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia - the three nations wherein China has over the years invested heavily and enhanced its influence.
Echoing similar sentiment, the US Secretary of Defence, Mark Esper said both the countries stand "shoulder to shoulder" in support of a free and open Indo Pacific particularly in the wake of "increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China".
"Today, we made some substantial progress in further strengthening our relationship," he said.
Esper maintained the Indo-US partnership in the new era and changing times is "more important than ever". He said the defence ties between two countries remains a 'key pillar' in overall bilateral relationship.
Both Esper and his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, mentioned the signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) which would give India access to classified geo-spatial data as well as critical information having significant military applications from the US.
Rajnath Singh said the third 2-Plus-2 Ministerial dialogue today ensured detailed discussions on "key aspects" of bilateral and multilateral dimensions. Signing of BECA after inking other such high-profile pacts is a "significant achievement", Rajnath said.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said: "At a time when it is particularly important to uphold a rules-based international order, the ability of India and the US to work closely in defence and foreign policy has a larger resonance".
Dr Jaishankar said the Indo Pacific region was of particular focus during the dialogue today.
In this context, both Dr Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh made a strong pitch for rules-based order ensuring the freedom of navigation in international seas and respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.
"A multi polar world must have a multi polar Asia....," Dr Jaishankar emphasised. India also made it clear that cross border terrorism - a veiled reference to Pakistan - was completely 'unacceptable'.
"In Afghanistan, India's stakes in its security and stability is evident as is our willingness to contribute to international efforts," Dr Jaishankar said.
Answering questions from journalists, Dr Jaishankar said the Indo-US collaboration can be a "force of good".
Fielding a question on buying of defence equipment, Rajnath Singh said this can be essentially decided only after formal negotiations.
 |
A lasting Bond
|
EAM, Dr S Jaishankar's opening remarks at the 3rd 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue• First, we live in a more uncertain world with much greater stresses and sharper faultlines. For most countries, that means giving security a greater salience in their foreign policy. As major powers, this is even more so in our case.
• Second, over the last two decades, our bilateral relationship has grown steadily in its substance, facets and significance. The accompanying comfort levels today enable us to engage much more intensively on matters of national security. This format is clearly tailored to that purpose.
• Third, at a time when it is particularly important to uphold a rules-based international order, the ability of India and the US to work closely in defence and foreign policy has a larger resonance.
Together, we can make a real difference when it comes to regional and global challenges, whether it is in respecting territorial integrity, promoting maritime domain awareness, countering terrorism or ensuring prosperity.
NSA Ajit Doval meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper
They had a constructive meeting and discussed a number of issues and challenges of strategic importance, say sources.
Both sides highlighted the need to take forward shared objectives and build capabilities across all domains so as to ensure a safe, stable and rule-based regional and global security environment, say sources.
India tells US firmly: Cross-border terrorism was completely unacceptable
Both #India and #US believe in rule-based order and democracy: @rajnathsingh at 2Plus2 Ministerial Dialogue.
Today's challenges make our partnership more pertinent, he further says.
Targeting China, the US and India exchanged views on current global situation and its contemporary challenges; discussed the shared concerns and interests including "stability and security in Asia", and how best that can be ensured.
US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and Secretary of Defence, Dr Mark Esper, arrived India on a crucial leg of Asia trip for five days amid Washington's intent to checkmate growing Chinese influence in the region.
Pompeo is also set to visit Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia - the three nations wherein China has over the years invested heavily and enhanced its influence.
"Wheels up for my trip to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with our partners to promote a shared vision for a free and open Indo Pacific composed of independent, strong, and prosperous nations," Pompeo had tweeted just around the time he left the American shore for the visit.
The world’s two biggest democracies India and the US, analysts say, are likely to ink a fresh pact on sharing intelligence. This could pave the way for the US to ship sophisticated missile technology.
It is also presumed that Secretary of Defence Esper will also be discussing ways to increase defence sales and cooperation between the two countries’ military forces. The arms sales talks could cover US F-18 fighter jets too.
The two visiting dignitaries will be holding the third '2 Plus 2' dialogues with their Indian counterparts Dr S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, Oct 27. Pompeo and Esper will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NSA Ajit Doval is also likely to meet the two top strategists and policy makers in the Trump administration.
Pompeo had recently made his intent clear and said his deliberations with Indian and other South Asian leaders could “include discussions on how free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party”. The trip by Pompeo and Dr Esper is part of the latest US efforts to bolster 'allies' against China, which has been in border disputes with India lately and also allegedly keen to make military inroads in other parts of the region.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held separate delegation level talks with the US Secretary of Defence, Dr Esper on Monday, Oct 26.
In a missive in the micro blogging site, Defence Minister wrote: "India is delighted to host the US Secretary of Defence, Dr Mark Esper. Our talks today were fruitful, aimed at further deepening defence cooperation in a wide range of areas".
"Today’s discussions will add new vigour to India-US defence relations and mutual cooperation," Rajnath said. Dr Jaishankar also met Secretary of State Pompeo. "Pleased to welcome Secretary of State Pompeo.
Taking our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership forward," he tweeted.
Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla welcomed US Under Secretary of State, Brian Bulatao, who is part of the visiting US delegation for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was hosted jointly in September 2018 by Late Sushma Swaraj (EAM) and Nirmala Sitharaman (Defence Minister) and was described as "very productive" by PM Modi.
The 2-Plus-2 event and other diplomatic engagements will be conducted in a Covid compliant format keeping in view the need for adequate social distancing.
|
First 2+2 : 2018 Sept
|
Jaishankar-Pompeo hold separate meeting:
Both the leaders reviewed progress in bilateral ties over last four years; satisfied that they have grown in virtually every domain including trade, energy, defence and education; practice of consultations on foreign policy issues has also expanded, including regional and multilateral; working more closely in multilateral and plurilateral formats.
EAM Jaishankar stressed the uniqueness of our technology and talent flow connects; underlined that a knowledge economy with greater data sensitivity makes an even stronger case for collaboration; an innovation partnership is central to our future; our policies must be accordingly supportive. Education is a special bond between us and both sides should work to expand it further.
Both sides exchanged views on current global situation and its contemporary challenges; discussed our shared concerns and interests including stability and security in Asia, and how best that can be ensured. Specific issues will be taken up in the 2+2.
Followed up on our Indo-Pacific engagement and the Quad deliberations. Spoke about maritime security, counter-terrorism, open connectivity and resilient supply chains.
Pompeo shared with EAM the Administration’s thinking on Afghanistan; EAM highlighted India’s stakes and its continuing concern that decisions should be made by Afghans themselves without use of force. Also made clear that cross-border terrorism was completely unacceptable.
Both Ministers also discussed multilateral consultations and cooperation in the context of India's forthcoming UNSC membership.
No comments:
Post a Comment