Despite 'friendly Lutyens media' Mamata ‘frustrated’ for damp squib 'Dilli tour' :::: Babul Supriyo quits politics

New Delhi:  The five-day ‘Dilli mission’ of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee did not fructify into as much success as she had anticipated and thus her body language and words at the departure time was a tell it all saga.

The inability to fructify a strong ‘anti-Modi’ front reflected in her final words.

“Aap aisa baat baar baar mat kijiye. Ek hi baat kijiye ki desh ko bachana hae (Do not keep asking me one and same question repeatedly. Please let us all focus on saving the country)?,” Mamata remarked at the last media interaction in the capital shortly before she caught the flight to Kolkata.

2013: Deserted Look- Mamata rally 

BJP general secretary B L Santhosh aptly made a veiled attack on media.

"A CM comes to Delhi . After some political activities she returns to home state thanking ‘ media ‘ for cooperation. Not one self proclaimed torchbearers free speech & democracy questions her on political violence & brutal killings in her home state," he tweeted.

Delhi media was more than keen to see her emerge as a chief rival to Modi.

Despite all these, a major reflection of her anguish was found in Trinamool’s renewed Tripura strategy. Shortly after Mamata held a closed door meeting with Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi; her trusted party colleagues had landed in Agartala and took a small splinter group of Congress into the party fold.

Reportedly, the mother-son (Sonia Gandhi-Rahul) duo were still reluctant to ‘crown’ her as the opposition face. Her meeting with Kamal Nath and Anand Sharma over tea also did not give her any edge. So the target is Congress Tripura, which is again zero-MLA strong party.

Among those who joined Trinamool included Subal Bhowmick, a regular turncoat in Tripura politics and who has done business with Congress and BJP.

Some senior BJP MLAs in Agartala declined audience to Trinamool leaders and also told categorically told them that they are 'not ready' to jump the ship.

In fact, some Tripura Ministers and MLAs in the saffron party now are from Congress and Trinamool Congress only. The ‘Tripura battle’ has become more serious for Mamata vis-a-vis her personal ambition of 2024 – as doing well in the north eastern state with 60 legislators would help her to retain national party status.

But in Delhi, what goes to strengthen argument that Mamata’s ‘Dilli tour’ did not yield expected results was first lack of consensus to present herself as the chief rival (claimant) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Guv with 'non-MLA' CM 

But the most frustrating part was NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar declining the audience. Her party colleagues have taken a line that because Central Hall of Parliament is closed due to Covid, some meetings could not take place. 

The fact of the matter is no meeting between top political leaders can be prevented just on the issue of venue or so called pandemic restrictions. 

She was apparently toying with the idea of making Pawar the ‘chairman’ of a joint anti-Modi platform. For his part, Pawar has given his mixed signals. Firstly, Pawar is much more senior to Mamata both in age and in political experience in their original ‘party’ the Congress. 

So, he is not happy to see Mamata arrive Delhi and ‘honour’ him with some kind of decorative chairmanship. The Maratha strongman knows what to ‘demand’ and ‘how’ to get it too.

Secondly, just on the eve of Parliament session, Pawar met Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Leader of the Rajya Sabha, and importantly the Prime Minister himself.  Pawar also attended the ‘floor leaders’ meeting convened by Modi wherein Covid19 management issue figured. 

Grapevine is that in 2022, some ‘working formula’ could emerge between NCP and BJP especially after the dust of UP’s electoral battle is settled.

In UP, NCP is not a formidable force and here everyone would be keen to see how things unfold for two other third front players – the Samajwadi Party and the BSP. Mamata would get serious competition too.

Another factor that might have led to ‘frustration’ in the Mamata camp is the ‘matured and cool’ manner the BJP leadership handled her Delhi trip.

She expected ‘confrontation’ to scream that the country’s ruling dispensation is scared of her. Knowing it well that often Netas can thrive amid ‘confrontation’,  the Prime Minister himself ensured that no unnecessary confrontation is drawn out despite the fact that only a few months back, Mamata had declined to attend a natural calamity related meeting with Prime Minister Modi in her own state.

In Delhi, the Prime Minister gave her an audience and when she entered the room in front of cameras, he also courteously ‘folded hands’. The 40-minute meeting was real courteous where she only put forward her demands. Nothing much really happened.

Realising the mood of the media, her trusted lieutenant Derek O’ Brien with all his smiles rushed to a Noida studio of a TV channel (which is generally not the typical anti-Modi type).

He sounded ‘big’ at times talking about 2024 Lok Sabha polls; but when it came to a question to justify why Mamata quit Congress in 1997 and is now happy to play alliance politics, the vocal lawmaker virtually fumbled. 

His parliamentary debating ad language skills and expertise in Quiz did not come to Mamata’s help either.

Hence focus is now on Tripura – where Mamata had actually frustrated her party leaders in 2016 when she dialed Marxist Sitaram Yechury after demonetisation was announced.

All six then then Trinamool legislators within weeks told Mukul Roy flatly they cannot do any business with someone who is befriending communists. 

So, all of them subsequently joined the BJP and gradually a strong ‘wave’ for ‘Chalo Paltai’ (Let us Change it all) slogan was created in favour of the saffron camp.

Mamata would be targeting more Congress units in various states. 

Ends  

New Delhi: Former Union Minister and BJP lawmaker from Asansol in West Bengal, Babul Supriyo, on Saturday, July 31, announced quitting politics and stated that he would also step down as the Member of Parliament.

"Alvida.....Resigning from my MP-ship too (obviously)," he wrote on Facebook with a lengthy positing in Bangla saying, "It is true, I was in politics for quite some time now".

He also said he has discussed about his decision to quit politics with BJP chief J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah and every time, they insisted that he should stay on.

"I am grateful to them....," he wrote. 

He would not be joining any other party, he said and maintained to continue 'social service' one neednot to put on a politician's hat.  

Babul Supriyo, playback singer-turned-neta, first won the prestigious Asansol seat defeating Mamata's trusted aide Ms Dola Sen by giving a virtual shocker to Trinamool Congress leadership under Mamata Banerjee.

The West Bengal Chief Minister was so upset that she even dropped the then
Agriculture Minister Moloy Ghatak for failing to ensure Dola Sen's win.
In 2019, Babul Supriyo repeated the feat this time defeating 'a more challenging candidate and noted actress Moon Moon Sen. 

The victory margin was huge - 1.97 lakh votes. 

On Saturday, giving quite an emotional flavour, Supriyo wrote:

"It is true I was here into politics for quite some time. May be I have been able to make some people happy, somewhere people must be upset with my works. It is for all of you to judge me".

In the Modi 1.0, Supriyo served as the Union Minister of State for Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

In 2019, he was again given ministerial berth and made Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

However, in 2021 assembly elections, he was fielded from a strong Trinamool bastion, Tollyganj and he lost by more than 50,000 votes.

In the reshuffle carried out on July 7, he was dropped. 

"I am going nowhere. I am a one-team player! Have always supported one team Mohun Bagan. Have been with only one party - BJP Bengal. That's it," Supriyo said.

ends  

Second part of Transcript of Press Statement / Media Interaction following India-US Ministerial Meeting : July 28

Question:
Mr. Jaishankar, and Secretary Blinken, I believe both sides had detailed discussions on the situation in Afghanistan. Could you tell us about the areas of convergence and divergence about Afghanistan and the way ahead?

China hosting Taliban: July 29 

Dr. S. Jaishankar , External Affairs Minister: 

You know, I would say rather than look at what is the convergence and what is the divergence if the secretary doesn't contradict me, I would say there was much more convergence, and there would be some issues on where we are coming from different places with different interests and backgrounds. I think on the whole it would be fair to say we agreed that, what I emphasised in my remarks that peace negotiations should be taken seriously, it is the only way to create a lasting solution and the diversity of Afghanistan must be taken into account in finding that lasting solution. 

And as the United States, of course, has a very unique involvement in Afghanistan, but as a immediate neighbour with a historical connection we do feel that the way we are looking at it, the way we see the challenges ahead, what needs to be done, I would say our views were quite similar. I think that would be a fair description.

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : 

I will certainly not contradict my friend, for the most important reason that what he says is exactly right. I think we largely see Afghanistan the same way. We're both committed to the proposition that there is no military solution to the conflict that afflicts Afghanistan, there has to be a peaceful resolution, which requires the Taliban and the Afghan government to come to the table. And we both agree, I think strongly that any future government Afghanistan has to be inclusive and fully representative of the Afghan people. 

But ultimately, this has to be an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process that we will all support. I think it's also accurate to say that there is largely agreement among most countries, both neighbouring Afghanistan and in the region, on the need for that kind of future. And certainly a rejection of the proposition that military force is the way to define the future of the country and strong support for an Afghanistan that is inclusive and representative of its people. 

So I would say that we are both not only in alignment, but working together and also working with other countries, both neighbouring Afghanistan and in the region to support that kind of future for Afghanistan. Let me just add one other point to emphasise even as we withdraw our forces from Afghanistan and NATO and others withdraw their forces, we remain very much engaged in Afghanistan. 

We have not only a strong embassy there, but also important programmes that continue to support Afghanistan, economically through development assistance through security assistance, that remains, and we are very much engaged in the diplomacy, of working to bring the parties together at the table for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Shri Arindam Bagchi , Official Spokesperson: Thank you, Excellences. For the second question, Elizabeth from Mint.

Question: My question is to both Minister Jaishankar and Secretary Blinken. From your remarks, it seems there's been quite a bit of discussion on the Indo Pacific and the Quad. Now China doesn't lose any opportunity to criticise both these concepts. How would you answer Chinese criticism on the Indo Pacific and the Quad? Because they've described it as an Asian NATO clique of countries, etc. How would you answer this?

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : I'm happy to start.

Dr. S. Jaishankar , External Affairs Minister: And I won't contradict you.

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : 

What the Quad is, is actually quite simple but as important as it is simple. Four like minded countries, India, United States, Japan, Australia, coming together to work collectively, on some of the most important issues of our time, that are going to have a real impact on the lives of our people. And to do it in a way that hopefully ensures a free and open Indo Pacific region, and peace, security and prosperity for the people of that region. So what we're doing together is coordinating, pooling our resources, pooling our thinking, and actively collaborating on a whole variety of issues that have an impact on the lives of our people on COVID-19. 

And the vaccine initiative that we took with the first leaders meeting that took place just a few months ago, working on post pandemic economic recovery together, working on the climate crisis, as well as a whole series of issues. Everything from maritime security to infrastructure, that again, are going to have a meaningful impact on the lives of our people. What the Quad is not as a military alliance, it is not that. Its purpose is again, just to advance cooperation, on regional challenges, while reinforcing international rules and values that we believe together underpin peace, prosperity and stability in the region. And of course, we're doing that as well in cooperation with other countries with ASEAN, and other likeminded partners.

Shri Arindam Bagchi , Official Spokesperson: Thank you. I'll now hand over…

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister: 

Let me just add a few words before you hand over. Look to what Secretary Blinken said, I would, first of all emphasise, I'm giving you an Indian perspective here. In a globalised world today, India has interests of far beyond its immediate borders. Certainly we have interests in the Indian Ocean in the Pacific Ocean in the Indo Pacific, our major trade partners are there our major trade routes are there, our political partners are there, we have big community interest I mean, any parameter you use, it's very visible that India has interest in the Indo Pacific. 

The second is that, in this more complicated world with a lot of new challenges, when we talk about rebalancing, what it really means is different countries whose capabilities have grown or have changed, and who are enlightened enough to work with each other, obviously, would like to do so. Now, for groups of countries to work together is not strange, this is the history of international relations, you know, groups of countries work together were in the same region, I mean, you have regional cooperation, or they sometimes work together, even if they can find intersections of interests, I mean, the BRICS is one such example. 

So, I think people need to get over the idea that somehow, other countries doing things is directed against them. I think countries do things, what are in their interest for their good and for the good of the world and that is exactly what is the case with the Quad.

Shri Arindam Bagchi , Official Spokesperson: Thank you sir. Mr. Price floor is yours.

Mr. Ned Price: Thank you. Our first question will go to Conor Finnegan of ABC News.

Conor Finnegan: Thank you both. For Mr. Foreign Minister how concerned are you about regional security as the US withdraws its forces from Afghanistan? And do you believe the US government has done enough to pressure Pakistan over its support for the Taliban and for Mr. Secretary, General Mark Milley said last week that the Taliban have the momentum. Ambassador Ross Wilson has said there are credible reports of the group is committing atrocities. And the US recently had to conduct more airstrikes to slow their advances. Are things in Afghanistan headed in the wrong direction? Thank you.

Dr. S. Jaishankar , External Affairs Minister: 

Well, look. It is natural, I would say inevitable that if the United States which for the last 20 years had a robust military presence in Afghanistan withdraws that presence that there will be consequences. Now, the issue is not whether that's good or bad, what is done is done. It is a policy taken. And I think in diplomacy, you deal with what you have. And a lot of our conversations today and conversations I've had with many of Afghanistan's neighbours address exactly that situation. And now, in terms of what we think about the situation, I think with the previous question, both secretary and I made it very clear, we don't think outcome should be decided by force on the battlefield. 

We think the peace negotiations should be a negotiation and should lead to peace, it should see cessation of violence, there should be a political settlement. So that is where we are looking at. And I think there is a broad consensus, deep consensus, most of the neighbours of Afghanistan agree with that. Now, I grant you, not everybody who agrees does what they say they would do. I noted the exception, which you have pointed out too, but I think that is a reality, which is not new. That is the reality over the last 20 years.

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : 

And Conor your question, let me say a few things. Yes, certainly what we're seeing on the ground in the last week, is the Taliban making advances on district centres challenging some provincial capitals. We've also seen these reports of atrocities committed by the Taliban and areas that it's taken over that are deeply troubling, and certainly do not speak well to the Taliban's intentions for the country as a whole. Having said that, a few things first, as I noted, we remain very much engaged in Afghanistan in support of the government through the very supportive assistance we're providing, including to the security forces, as well as the diplomacy that we're engaged in to try to bring the parties together in a meaningful way to resolve the conflict peacefully. And, ultimately, an Afghanistan that does not respect the rights of its people, an Afghanistan that commits atrocities against its own people would become a pariah state. 

The Taliban says that it seeks international recognition, that it wants international support for Afghanistan; presumably it wants its leaders to be able to travel freely in the world, sanctions lifted, etc. Well, taking over the country by force, and abusing the rights of his people is not the path to achieve those objectives. There's only one path, and that's at the negotiating table to resolve the conflict peacefully and to have an Afghanistan emerge that is governed in a genuinely inclusive way. And it's representative of all its people.

Mr. Ned Price: Final question, we'll go to Courtney McBride of The Wall Street Journal.

Courtney McBride: Thank you. Question for each gentleman. Mr. Secretary, you've discussed the US India's shared democratic ideals and the challenges of upholding those. And as you look to partner on issues such as climate and COVID, and to offer a democratic alternative to China, how do you address the Indian government's backslide on such issues? And to Dr. Jaishankar what progress did you make in these discussions of a path out of the pandemic? I mean, are you confident in the ability to accelerate vaccine production and distribution? And are you satisfied that the Biden administration is committed to expanding access to the US beyond the students that you mentioned?

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : 

I'm happy to start. So let me start by saying that our shared values, our shared democratic traditions, the high ideals that we both set for ourselves, we're very much a part of our conversation today as they usually are. And let me just tell you why you've heard me say this already today, I've said it a few times in the past, but the relationship between our two countries is so important, and so strong, because it's a relationship between our democracies, and at its core, a relationship between our peoples. And I think one of the elements that Americans admire most about India is the steadfast commitment of his people to democracy, to pluralism, to human rights to fundamental freedoms. That's in our minds one of the ways that we define India and we see ourselves reflected in that. And it's in part why our shared values, strengthen the relationship. 

Like our own, India's democracy is powered by its free thinking citizens. We applaud that. And we view Indian democracy as a force for good in defence of a free and open Indo Pacific, indeed, a free and open world. We also recognise that every democracy, starting with our own is a work in progress. 

And when we discuss these issues, I certainly do it from a starting point of humility, we've seen the challenges that our own democracy has faced in the past and faces today. But this is, in a sense, common to all democracies. I mentioned this earlier, we talk about in our founding document, the search for a more perfect union, that by definition, means that we're not perfect. And that our entire quest is to get closer and closer to the ideals that we set for ourselves. And that's how societies make progress. And sometimes, we were at moments when the challenge is painful. It can even be ugly, but as democracies we deal with it openly. And ultimately, I think we have in our democracies self-writing mechanisms that are made up of free citizens of different backgrounds, different faiths, free media, independent courts, powered by a system of free and fair elections, the most remarkable democratic elections in the world, in many ways are here in India just by sheer numbers. It's the largest expression of free political will by citizens anywhere on Earth. So I say all this because as friends, because we talk to each other about these issues, we talk about the challenges that we're both facing in renewing and strengthening our democracies. 

And I think, humbly we can learn from each other. Because no democracy, regardless of how large or how old has it all figured out. And we celebrate that the world's oldest and the world's largest democracies are dedicated at heart to a shared set of values that, I believe will ensure not only the ultimate success of democracy, but the success of the relationship between India and the United States.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister: 

Well, before I answer the question, you directed at me, let me just add a few words to what the Secretary said, we had a good conversation on number of issues. And on this broad issue, I think I would sum it up from my perspective, I made three important points. One, that the quest for a more perfect union applies as much to the Indian democracy as it does to the American one, indeed, to all democracies. Number two, it is the moral obligation of all polities to really right wrongs, when they have been done, including historically and many of the decisions and policies you've seen in last few years, fall in that category. 

And third, that, freedoms are important, we all value them, but never equate freedom with non-governance or lack of governance or poor governance. They are two completely different things. So, we had a good conversation, I'm sure we will continue that conversation. 

Regarding the vaccine issue, yes we had a, I think, very much a meeting of minds on that. We were very appreciative of the support I would say, really the openness with which the Biden administration has kept the supply chains open, which has enabled us today to really scale up the vaccine numbers, but this is also work in progress. So, given the nature of the industry, the nature of the changes in vaccinations which are coming into stream, we will have to keep working at it. But overall, yes, we were very satisfied, very appreciative. It is an area where we have worked together, we will continue to work together and I would actually thank the secretary personally for his efforts in this regard.

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : Thank you.

Shri Arindam Bagchi , Official Spokesperson: Thank you. That brings us to the end of this Media Interaction. Thank you all for your presence. Please remain seated as the delegation members leave.

(Source : MEA, Govt of India) 

Transcript of Press Statement / Media Interaction following India-US Ministerial Meeting (July 28)

Transcript of Press Statement / Media Interaction following India-US Ministerial Meeting

(Source : MEA, Govt of India) 

Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister:  

Friends of the Media, Secretary Blinken and I just concluded our discussions; I welcome the opportunity to brief all of you. Let me say right at the start that it’s a real pleasure to welcome you back here Secretary, back to Delhi. 

Our meeting takes place at an important juncture when key global and regional challenges need to be effectively addressed that our bilateral partnership has advanced to a level that enables us to deal collaboratively with larger issues is a matter of particular satisfaction. 

Now, you are all aware of the extent of transformation of our relationship in recent years. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden have spoken numerous times and participated in summits of the Quad, G7 and Climate Leaders this year and Secretary Blinken and I, the two of us we are actually meeting, I think, for the fourth time this year. 

As Foreign Ministers, it is our responsibility to regularly review cooperation in different domains and keep our leaders apprised of the progress in our ties and that is exactly what we have done today. Now whether it is responding to the Covid challenge, cooperating on defence and security, encouraging trade and investment, addressing climate change or expanding education and innovation, I can say truly that there is much that has happened in 2021. 

The Covid issue was naturally a particular priority, so let me first acknowledge the responsiveness of the Biden administration to keeping the raw material supply chain open for vaccine production in India and then say a big thanks for the support we received during the Covid second wave from the United States, a support that I would say was truly exceptional. 

We focus today on expanding vaccine production to make it globally affordable and accessible; we also discussed travel challenges resulting from Covid. The US has been very forthcoming on students. I really appreciate all the trouble that the State Department and the Embassy has gone to in that regard and I very much hope, will take a sympathetic view of other travellers in the days to come.

We spoke at length about regional concerns, multilateral institutions and global issues, the expanding Indian footprint, be it in Africa, South-east Asia, Caribbean or the South-pacific has naturally broadened the shared agenda. Among the many issues that we looked at, I would specifically note Afghanistan, the Indo-Pacific and the Gulf. 

Regarding Afghanistan it is essential that peace negotiations are taken seriously by all parties. The world wishes to see an independent, sovereign, democratic and stable Afghanistan at peace with itself and with its neighbours but its independence and sovereignty will only be ensured if it is free from malign influences. Similarly unilateral imposition of will by any party will obviously not be democratic and can never lead to stability nor indeed can such efforts ever acquire legitimacy. 

The gains to Afghan Civil Society especially on the rights of women, minorities and on social freedoms over the last two decades are self evident; we must collectively work to preserve them. Afghanistan must neither be home to terrorism nor resource of refugees. On the other side of India, the Indo Pacific presents a different set of challenges to stability, growth and prosperity. 

Under the aegis of the quad framework, we are engaged on maritime security, HADR counterterrorism, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber and digital concerns, COVID-19 response, climate action, education and resilient and reliable supply chains.

The secretary and I discussed not only opportunities for further collaboration on all these issues, but also the importance of observing international law, rules and norms, including UNCLOS. Our ability to work more closely, bilaterally, in the Quad and elsewhere, benefits the international community as a whole. Developments in India's extended neighbourhood are also naturally of great consequence to us. Stability in the Gulf where our political, economic and community interests are so visible was a shared concern. 

On Myanmar, I conveyed our commitment to its democratic transition as well as our support for ASEAN initiatives. India and the United States are currently both members of the UN Security Council. Some of the agenda before the UNSC was also covered in our discussions as also our approach to reform multilateralism. Countering terrorism has been the common endeavour for us in the UN Framework, bilaterally and in other bodies. We are convinced that the world will never accept cross border terrorism.

As regards climate change, the Agenda 2030 partnership that Prime Minister Modi and President Biden launched in April strengthens our commitment to meet Paris goals, taking forward its clean energy and finance mobilisation tracks is therefore vital.

Given the comprehensive and global nature of our strategic partnership, it is to be expected that our two countries would engage on major contemporary issues. Such conversations are not only essential in a democratic, diverse and multi-polar world, but actually affirm that we have entered a new era. We approach this pluralism through the lens of our own contexts, convictions and cultures. Secretary Blinken and I have been very much part of the journey that has brought our two nations so close today. 

Our ties, obviously serve our national and mutual interests well, but more important, make a real difference to the world and the big issues of our times. Having noted that, let me ask you, Antony to give your take on our talks today and I request the Secretary for his remarks.

AFP-UCAN snap: Blinken and Archbishop Paul Gallagher at Vatican

Hon’ble Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State : 

Thank you. Thank you very much. And good afternoon, everyone. It's a real pleasure to be back in India, I was just thinking that the first time I came here was 40 years ago, with my family. I'm here now in somewhat different circumstance, but it's wonderful to be here. And I especially want to thank Minister Jaishankar, all of our colleagues in government and some of the individuals I've had the opportunity to meet already today for an incredibly warm welcome. 

The Minister and I have a partnership and friendship going back some years. And I have to say it's one of the particular pleasures of my job to be able to work with you on a regular basis.

There are few relationships in the world that are more vital than the one between the United States and India. We are two of the world's leading democracies and our diversity fuels our national strength. We are two of the world's largest economies, powered by the innovative spirit of our people. At a time of rising temperatures and sea levels, we two of the world's largest carbon emitters are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and the leading edge of a new green economy. Our countries know firsthand the legal consequences of climate change. And the Indian and American people are united by millions of family ties stretching back generations, and by shared values and shared aspirations. Together, the actions that India and the United States take are shaping the 21st century and beyond. That's why strengthening the partnership with India is one of the United States top foreign policy priorities. 

That's been the case for the past several presidential administrations, Democrat and Republican alike. And President Biden feels a deep personal commitment to making our friendship with India, as strong and as effective as it can be. 

We believe this partnership will be critical for delivering stability and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region and beyond, and for showing the world how democracies can deliver for their people. And we believe that there's a good deal that we can accomplish together on so many fronts, including in the near term.

As the minister said, we discussed a number of critical issues today. COVID-19 being at the top of the agenda, it's hit both of our countries very, very hard. We remember with gratitude, and we will not soon forget the aid and assistance that India provided to us in the early days of COVID-19 when our hospitals were overwhelmed early in the pandemic. And I'm proud that we could help return the gesture of friendship over the past few months, the United States government's contributed more than $200 million to India for COVID-19 relief. And there's been a huge outpouring from individual Americans from the private sector in support as well. Today, I'm pleased to announce that the United States government will send an additional $25 million to support vaccination efforts across India. This funding will contribute I think, to saving lives by strengthening vaccine supply chain logistics, addressing this information vaccine hesitancy and helping to train more healthcare workers. We're determined to end this pandemic. 

And India and the United States will work together to do it, including through the quad vaccine partnership, which will bring safe and effective vaccines to others across the region. And I believe, too, that as we move forward, India and the United States together, around the world will be leaders in bringing this pandemic to an end. And I hope, setting up an even stronger global health security system going forward so that we're in a better position should the next pandemic come around. We also have to address the very painful secondary consequences of the pandemic to fuel our economic recovery in the United States must continue to grow our trade relationship. 

And beyond that, we have to keep working through the barriers that stand in the way of greater bilateral investment, and deeper commercial ties. That's something we talked about today as well. If we create the right conditions for more trade and investment, and innovation, there really is no limit to what our private sectors can achieve together.

The Minister and I also discussed strengthening our regional cooperation, both bilaterally and through the quad with Japan and Australia, as well as other multilateral partnerships. So much of the future of the 21st century, will be written in this part of the world. We share a vision India and the United States of a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo Pacific. We'll work together to make that vision a reality and will continue to advance peace security development worldwide, and to work in international organisations to strengthen rules based international order. Just to come back to one example, the quad countries as the minister noted are focused together on dealing effectively with COVID-19, on advancing the climate agenda, on dealing with emerging technologies. And we're bringing our experts together on a number of other vitally important issues to this region and beyond, including infrastructure, supply chains, maritime security. We discussed regional security issues, as the minister noted, including Afghanistan. India and the United States share a strong interest in a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. As a leader and critical partner in the region, India has made and will continue to make vital contributions to Afghanistan stability and development. And we'll continue to work together to sustain the gains of the Afghan people and support regional stability after the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country. And indeed, we talked about the climate crisis as well. Earlier this year, we launched the US India climate and clean energy agenda 2030 partnership to help achieve our ambitious 2030 targets for the United States slashing greenhouse gas emissions in half for India, installing 450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, among other targets. That's nearly twice the amount of renewable energy capacity that the entire world added in 2020. It would demonstrate to emerging economies that economic development and a cleaner economy go hand in hand.

Today's conversations including my meeting earlier today with National Security Adviser Doval, and my meeting later today with Prime Minister Modi are valuable, important opportunities to carry our cooperation forward. Defence Secretary Austin and I are looking forward to hosting Minister Jaishankar and Defence Minister Singh later this year in Washington for the annual 2+2 dialogue. That's a critical forum for our two countries to deepen our strategic and security partnership. Finally, our bilateral relationship is strengthened by our shared values. As two of the world's leading democracies, we take seriously our responsibility to deliver freedom, equality, and opportunity to all of our people. And we know that we must constantly do more on these fronts, neither of us has achieved the ideals that we set for ourselves. Part of the promise of democracy is the constant striving for better, as America's founders put it, to form a more perfect union, to always seek to strengthen our democratic institutions, expand access to justice and opportunity, stand up forcefully for fundamental freedoms. Those values at the heart of our democratic systems, they're at the core of the vast array of partnerships connecting our countries, not only between our governments, but also between our private sectors, universities, civil societies, most of all, between our people.

One last thing, to prepare for my visit today, I look back on an earlier visit to India, by an American leader. In 2006, then Senator Joe Biden was here. And during that visit to India, he said, and I quote, my dream is that in 2020, the two closest nations in the world would be India and the United States, if that occurs, the world will be safer. Well, it's 2021. Joe Biden is president of the United States, the friendship between India and the United States is one of the most consequential in the world. 

And we too look to the future, to 2030 and beyond because once again, the choices and investments that we make today can produce a healthier, more peaceful, more prosperous, more democratic future for our children, and for the world. That's the opportunity before us. And that's what the people of India and the United States will work together to achieve. Thank you.

(continued ......in second part) 

Assam police summons Mizo MP & pastes notice at Delhi residence: Mizoram cops book CM Himanta

New Delhi: The trouble between Assam and Mizorm over border dispute is far from over and has taken uniquely peculiar turn with Mizoram police filing criminal cases against Assam Chief Minister HimantaBiswa Sarma and senior officials on charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy.

The FIR was lodged by Mizoram cops at the Vairengte police station and all of them including Inspector General of Police Anurag Aggarwal, Cachar Deputy Inspector General Devojyoti Mukherjee, Cachar Superintendent of Police Cahndrakant Nimbalkar, and officer in-charge of Dholai police station Sahab Uddin.

Sarma and others have been asked to appear in the Vairengte police station on August 1. The clash took place on July 27 along Lailapur-Vairengte.  

The Assam Police have meanwhile 'summoned' Mizoram's lone Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena (MNF) on August 1 for questioning over his alleged "threatening statement" over the July 27 violence.

A formal notice has been 'pasted' at his Delhi official residence, sources said. 

Assam Police also said it will take "lawful action" against the lawmaker but maintained a team of Assam Police CID, which arrived in New Delhi, has so far not been able to trace him despite visiting his residence and also the Mizoram House.  

Mizoram government officials in Delhi reportedly refused to receive any notice served on Vanlalvena on the high-profile case.

"There are reasonable grounds to question you to ascertain facts and circumstances from you," the Assam Police notice says.

The lawmaker has been asked to appear before the Officer-In-Charge of the Dholai police station in Assam's Cachar district (near Silchar) at 11 am on August 1 "without fail".

Vanlalvena had reportedly said, as more than 200 Assam policemen entered "our territory and they pushed back our policemen from our own posts and they gave firing orders first, before we fired. They are lucky that we did not kill them all. If they come again....".

On July 27 and also later, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and others have said the Mizoram cops opened fire only in self-defence. Five Assam police personnel lost lives in the unfortunate episode.

On Wednesday, the centre had convened a meeting of Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Assam and Mizoram.

Now a 'neutral force' under the command of a senior officer of the Central Armed Police Force would be deployed along the border. 

Meanwhile, the Mizo Students Association in a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged that "disciplinary proceedings" must be initiated against central forces who failed to 'act' to prevent confrontation between two state police.

It alleged that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is using the language of "intimidation" as he seemed to be "irritated by the loss of lives".  

Only on Saturday and Sunday (July 24,25), Home Minister Amit Shah held meetings with Chief Ministers of all northeastern states in Shillong and reportedly emphasized that the border issues between different states should be brought to an end urgently and amicably by 2024.

Statehood was granted to Nagaland in 1963, Meghalaya in 1972 and Mizoram in 1987 but the border disputes between Assam and these 'newly created states' after Independence have stayed on. Till 1972, Mizoram was part of Assam till it attained Union Territory status.

The Assam Chief Minister made a crucial reference to drug business along those areas.

"It might be that some people in Mizoram are annoyed after the Assam government curtailed the drugs trade chain from Myanmar to other parts of India via Mizoram and Assam," he has said.

A senior Home department official in Mizoram has said that drug menace in Mizoram, due to its proximity with Myanmar and Assam, had been a serious headache for the state government.

From 2018 till June, 2021, different law enforcement agencies in the state, including the state police, Excise and Narcotics, Assam Rifles and the BSF, had seized 77.845 kilograms of heroin and huge quantities of methamphetamine worth crores of rupees.

ends 

PM Modi tweets about Naga 'hottest' chillies being exported to London

New Delhi: Who should know or rather try to know India better than the country's Prime MinisterNarendra Modi himself ? 

The other day, he tweeted: "Wonderful news. Only those who have eaten the Bhoot Jolokia will know how spicy it is!"
It is about Naga chillies popularly called Raja Mircha or King Chilli ! These are real hot stuff and the aroma is unique!

On July 28, Nagaland exported 250 kg of king chilli, to the United Kingdom. This is the first export consignment of the chilli that has Geographical Indication (GI) tagging.

The Prime Minister's tweet also had a PIB release and that said: "In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indications (GI) products from the north-eastern region, a consignment of ‘Raja Mircha’ also referred as king chilli from Nagaland was today (July 28) exported to London via Guwahati by air for the first time".

The consignment of King Chilli is also considered as world’s "hottest based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs)". 

The consignment was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland and was packed at 

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) assisted packhouse at Guwahati.

The chilli from Nagaland is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. 

It got GI certification in 2008.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also tweeted in Hindi stating that the Nagaland chilli now would reach London.

The PIB release also said - "Nagaland King Chilli belongs to genus Capsicum of family Solanaceae. Naga king chilli has been considered as the world’s hottest chilli and is constantly on the top five in the list of the world's hottest chilies based on the SHUs."

The Naga King chilli or 'Capsicum Chinense' a few years back used to sell at Rs 50,000 per kg in Japan.

The staggering price of the chili grown in the North Eastern region of India was reportedly noted 

by an official delegation from Manipur led by the then Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and a senior

state government official principal secretary (Commerce and Industries) O. Nabakishore.

It is said in the north east that Asthma patients do get relief by regular use of Naga king chili.

Naga traditional dishes flavoured with hints of ginger or garlic, some king chilli (bhut jolokia) and a little oil or meat fat

essentially help to retain the basic taste of the ingredients and does not encourage use of spices.

Nagaland government officials say various Naga organic products are in high demand in Australia, Gulf/Dubai and European markets, and products such as pineapple, Naga kiwi, ginger, large cardamom, etc, were in the pipeline for 

export to international markets.

ends  

What is 'more blinkered' Sickularism or otherwise : Blinken's blinkered vision of Indian democracy suits Modi

 US secretary of state's visit to the South Asian giant has let down liberals and other detractors of the PM

Blinken & Jaishankar: Step by Step in Democracy

Prior to becoming US vice president, Kamala Harris lashed out at the Indian government in 2019, declaring: "Kashmiris are not alone. We are all watching. So often, when we see human rights abuses, the abuser will convince those that they abuse that nobody cares and that nobody's watching."

But once in power, the strategic situation seems to have brought some changes on the ground. So, when it comes to candid talks about human rights and media freedom in India, especially under self-declared Hindutva champion Narendra Modi, the differences between the Biden administration and the Trump administration seem to have done a vanishing act, almost. 

In September 2019, Donald Trump said: "Like a father would bring it together. Maybe he [Modi] is the father of India. We will call him the father of India."

This was in Houston and later, in a tweet, Modi said "history was made" at the mega joint rally and show of strength by the leaders of the two democracies. In February 2020, during his visit to India, Trump did not condemn Hindu-Muslim clashes on the streets of national capital Delhi.

Move over, a top executive of the Democrat-led administration has now also let the Modi dispensation go virtually scot-free.

True, a lot of hopes were placed on the Joe Biden regime — a dispensation of the Democrats. But Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, let down liberals and other detractors of Modi during his two-day visit to India.

“The most remarkable democratic election in the world, in many ways, is here in India,” Blinken told a press conference. "Americans admire Indians’ commitment to rights, democracy and pluralism. Indian democracy is powered by its free-thinking citizens. I approach this with humility." 

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders could not have it better! They say the much-planned propaganda against the prime minister has fallen flat.

Modi himself later talked about the shared democratic values of the two countries. "I welcome President Biden's strong commitment to strengthening the India-US Strategic Partnership, which is anchored in our shared democratic values and is a force for global good," Modi tweeted after his meeting with Blinken.

BJP spokesman Gaurav Bhatia says it was a letdown for the lobby that was banking on foreign powers and top diplomatic executives to show India in a poor light. 

AFP-UCAN snap: Blinken and Archbishop Paul Gallagher at Vatican, June 28 

Blinken's visit and talks with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar actually chalked out a roadmap for a new approach to Afghanistan and to boost bilateral ties.

Suspended Congress leader Sanjay Jha obviously feels the visiting US dignitary did not do himself justice. "America is self-focused because if it looks at a big consumer market or labor market, it’s very unlikely to ignore it as its business, military-industrial complex is huge."

Nationalist Congress Party leader Majeed Memon also said he felt "let down" by Blinken's statement. 

A C Michael, rights activist and former member of Delhi Minorities Commission, said Blinken’s response shows an Indian reality.

Blinken’s reaction “tells me that not just we citizens of India fear in making comments against present dispensation, in fact even the foreign dignitaries fear to speak the truth.”

“I will not be exaggerating If claim that our country is no longer the largest democracy in the world in a real sense,” Michael said.

A section of neutral political observers had presumed that Blinken would be doing some plain speaking at a time when the Indian government is in constant confrontation with Twitter. 

China hosts Taliban 

Moreover, the government does not have good relations with the Indian media as the phones of a number of journalists and opposition leaders have allegedly been spied on using Pegasus software — an allegation the government has strongly denied. But the ongoing monsoon session of parliament is paralyzed by the Pegasus row.

There was another reason that raised hopes that Blinken would be talking candidly. Only the other day, Assistant Secretary of State Dean Thompson said: “With respect to the human rights and democracy question, yes, you’re right; I will tell you that we will raise it [during Blinken's meeting with his Indian counterpart] and we will continue that conversation."

However, when the real time came, Blinken's views were blinkered by challenges in Afghanistan and other diplomatic necessities.

India and the US are deep strategic partners and in more ways than one have aligned among themselves and partners like Australia and Japan, forming a quad in the Indo-Pacific region. This bloc has irked China and another giant in the region, Russia.  

Thus, many say, Blinken could not annoy a touchy and image-conscious Modi regime with glib talk about democracy when its immediate requirements are strategic and economic.

Both India and the US have also cooperated during the Covid crises of 2020 and 2021, when Washington was glad to return the favor to New Delhi.

"What we're doing together is coordinating, pooling our resources, pooling our thinking, and actively collaborating on a whole variety of issues that have an impact on the lives of our people on Covid-19," Blinken said.

"It is not the first time the US government has sided with Modi, albeit indirectly,” said political observer Vidyarthi Kumar. “President Trump in February 2020 said Modi had assured him that he would talk to all stakeholders and Muslims and do the right thing about the controversial citizenship law. But perhaps it was not expected from a Democrat-regime under Joe Biden."

Both Muslim and Christian leaders have complained that discrimination and violence against them have increased since Modi came to power in 2014.

Various US-based think tanks and NGOs have slammed the Modi government. However, others see some consolation in Blinken's statement when he said that in democracies some challenges could be "painful and ugly."

If this was a veiled attack on the Modi regime in reference to violence against Muslims and Christians over issues like eating beef, Blinken himself diluted things.

"The search is for a more perfect union which means we are not perfect," said the US secretary of state in reference to all democracies.

Earlier in the day, addressing members of civil society organizations, Blinken said: “At a time of rising global threats to democracy and international freedoms — we talk about a democratic recession — it’s vital that we two world leading democracies continue to stand together in support of these ideals.

Trump and Namo: Houston

“In short, if we want to make our democracies more open, more inclusive, more resilient, more equitable, we need a vibrant civil society," he said, underlining some Platonic ideals and even wishful thinking.

"Blinken was truthful by half. That's always the American problem," said Congress leader Ilyas Qureshi. 

"We Muslims and liberals were hopeful that once the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris duo came to power, the wrong policies on Muslims would end in the US and also in India. But Blinken has spoiled that or he has proved all of us wrong." 

ends 

(UCAN Link )

40 ‘non-Christian’ Mizos of ‘largest family’ battle Covid19

New Delhi:

Amid ongoing fierce conflicts between Mizoram and Assam on border disputes, 40 Mizos belonging to the ‘world’s largest family’ are now battling the pandemic Coronavirus.

Forty of them belong to ‘one family’ whose patriarch Ziona Zionnghaka expired in June due to acute hypertension and diabetes. The family has 184 members including 39 widows of the family patriarch Ziona, who did not join Christianity.

 

Late Patriarch Ziona: And his 39 wives

He ran the native 'Chana Pawl cult' before his death on June 13 at the age of 76.
Ziona's family lives in Chhuanthar Run in Chhuanthar Tlangnuam village Serchip district and is a four-hour drive from state capital Aizawl.

Social workers say the family “never formally joined Christianity” and instead practice polygamy despite the fact that it is not permitted by Christianity.
Late Ziona gave own hymns and distinct prayer systems unlike other local Christians.

Mizoram is otherwise a Christian majority state with about 88 per cent of people following that religion.

Altogether, 306 people in Chhuanthar Tlangnuam, home to 2,224 people who are also followers of Ziona, were infected with Covid19 about a week back, a source said. 

Forty of them belong to Late Ziona’s family. Late Ziona's son Nunparliana (61) the present 'head' of the family.
confirmed that his family members have been tested positive for Corona.
He also has two wives and 15 children. Nunparliana also runs a furniture workshop.

The tiny Christian-majority state has already lost 131 lives.

Lately, Chief Minister Zoramthanga is in quarantine after his security staff has tested positive for Corona.
The Chief Minister had visited Meghalaya capital Shillong to attend a meeting of all northeastern chief ministers convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. At the state level, officials say the recovery rate of covid patients in Mizoram is still low at 74.36 per cent as against the all-India average of about 97 per cent.
Around 22,800 people have been cured in the state.
Presbyterian churches in Aizawl and other places have been at the forefront of the Covid battle as 
Mizoram faced a shortage of quarantine centers and healthcare facilities.
A prominent Christian social worker and chairperson of the task group of quarantine facilities, 
has lauded the role of churches in fighting the pandemic.
"Without the proactive supportive role of churches and Christian volunteers, the Covid crisis in Mizoram  would have been a more difficult proposition altogether".

The influential Young Mizo Association has also offered its halls to be used as Covid care centers where infected people are being treated.

A substantial number of Mizos, who speak a Tibeto-Burman language, say they are Jews and claim to be Bnei Menashe (sons of Menasseh), descendants of one of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.

Mizoram essentially is a homeland of Lushai tribe and the place was once called 'Lushai hills'.

The state also has substantial number of Hmar ethnic community.

The state has another unique social feature as a substantial number of Mizos say there have Jews lineage and claim to be 'Bnei Menashe (sons of Menasseh)' or descendants of a 'lost tribe' of Israel.

This section of Mizo people also follow Judaism.

Ends

Playing Mizoram 'ambassadors' 

Covid outbreak hits Indian Christian state's 'largest family'

UCAN report

UCAN Link

At least 40 members of the “largest family in the world” in India's Christian-majority Mizoram state have tested positive for Covid-19.
The family has 184 members including 39 widows of family patriarch Ziona Zionnghaka, who ran the native Chana Pawl cult before his death on June 13 at the age of 76 from what health workers said was acute hypertension and diabetes.
According to a senior health official, at least 40 people belonging to Ziona's family in Chhuanthar Run in Chhuanthar Tlangnuam village have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Chhuanthar Run is situated at the center of Chhuanthar Tlangnuam village in the northeastern state's Serchhip district and is a four-hour drive from state capital Aizawl.

Social workers in Aizawl say the family never formally joined Christianity and practice polygamy despite the fact that it is not permitted by Christianity.

Altogether, 306 people in Chhuanthar Tlangnuam, home to 2,224 people who are also followers of Ziona, have been infected with the coronavirus, a health official told UCA News. 

Blogger and Mizoram friend Mo !

The official said initially only three tested positive on July 15 but as contact tracing was conducted and further tests were carried out, the figure jumped.

"This percentage is one of the highest in a single village," social worker Pu Lalrupui said.

Ziona's son Nunparliana, 60, the present head of the family, confirmed to UCA News that many family members have tested positive for Covid-19. Nunparliana, who runs a furniture workshop, has two wives and 15 children.

Officials say the recovery rate of Covid patients in Mizoram is still low at 74 percent against the national average of 97 percent. Around 22,800 people have recovered in the state.

The tiny state has reported 131 contagion deaths and its total number of Covid-19 cases stood at 30,492 as of July 24.

Mizoram is the homeland of the Lushai tribe and was once called Lushai hills. It also has a substantial Hmar community.

A substantial number of Mizos, who speak a Tibeto-Burman language, say they are Jews and claim to be Bnei Menashe (sons of Menasseh), descendants of one of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.

Some 87 percent of Mizoram’s 1.1 million people are Christians, predominantly Presbyterians.

Presbyterian churches in Aizawl and other places have been at the forefront of the Covid battle as Mizoram faced a shortage of quarantine centers and healthcare facilities.

The Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, a conglomerate of 15 major Mizoram churches, was particularly supportive, said Mizo National Front legislator Z.R. Thiamsanga, also chairman of the state’s Covid-19 operational team.

Esther Lal Ruatkimi, a prominent Christian social worker and chairperson of the task group of quarantine facilities, also lauded the role of churches.

"Without the proactive supportive role of churches and Christian volunteers, the Covid crisis in Mizoram would have been a more difficult proposition altogether". 

"At one time the challenge had grown manifold as Mizoram faced a shortage of quarantine facilities because a large number of people returned to the state with Covid-19 from various parts of the country. But a united effort by all stakeholders and active involvement of the churches have helped us." 

The Young Mizo Association has also offered its halls to be used as Covid care centers where infected people can be treated.

ends 

India dismisses 'elections in PoK', asks Pakistan to vacate all Indian areas

New Delhi: India on Thursday, July 29, urged Pakistan to "vacate all Indian areas" under its illegal occupation and maintained that the so-called elections in Indian territory (PoK areas) were by Pakistan only attempts to "camouflage its illegal occupation".

"Such an exercise (so called elections in PoK) can neither hide the illegal occupation by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation, and denial of freedom to people in these occupied territories. Pakistan has no locus standi on these Indian territories. We call upon Pakistan to vacate all Indian areas under its illegal occupation," MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters at a virtual media briefing.

"The so-called elections in Indian territory under the illegal occupation of Pakistan are nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and the material changes undertaken by it in these territories," he said.
 
"India has lodged a strong protest with the Pakistani authorities on this cosmetic exercise, which has been protested and rejected by the local people," he said.

In reference to China-Pakistan Joint Press Release, the MEA spokesman said,
"As in the past, India categorically rejects any reference to Jammu and Kashmir.  The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh has been and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. 

The Joint Press release has also made a reference to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). We have consistently conveyed to both China and 
Pakistan that the so-called CPEC is in India’s territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan".

Bagchi went onto say, "....We resolutely oppose any attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan as also to Pakistan bringing up any material change in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call upon parties concerned to cease such actions".

The Joint statement after meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, at Chengdu in China had said: "The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir.....The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue was a dispute left over from history between India and Pakistan, and that the dispute should be resolved peacefully and properly through the United Nations Charter".
 
On Afghanistan issue, MEA spokesman Bagchi said, "Gains over the last two decades should be preserved".

He also stated: "As you now, we are closely monitoring developments in Afghanistan. You would have heard External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar speak at length on our perspective about the situation in Afghanistan during his press conference (with US Secy of State Antony Blinken)." 

"I would like to reiterate that India, and the world, wishes to see an independent, sovereign, democratic and stable Afghanistan, at peace with itself and neighbours. Unilateral imposition of will by any party will not be democratic, cannot lead to stability, and cannot provide legitimacy". 

ends 

China hosts Taliban, calls it "important military force" ::::: Blinken lauds Indian elections, Jaishankar flays Pak

Chinese foreign minister hosts Taliban, calls it "important military and political force"

New Delhi: China sprang a surprise on Wednesday, July28, but not quite a totally unprecedented state of things too.

The China-Taliban-Pakistan axis was a known thing, but it curiously coincided on a day US Secretary of  State Antony Blinken was in India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to discuss a possible policy for Afghanistan.

“The Taliban in Afghanistan is a pivotal military and political force in the country and will play an important role in the process of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction there,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who played host to a Taliban delegation.  

"State Councilor Wang pointed out that the Taliban is an important military and political force in Afghanistan and is expected to play an important role in the country's peace, reconciliation and reconstruction process. We hope that the Afghan Taliban will put the interests of the country and nation first, hold high the banner of peace talks, set the goal of peace, build a positive image and pursue an inclusive policy," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.

Head of the Afghan Taliban political committee Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was in Tianjin. The heads of the Afghan Taliban's religious council and publicity committee were also on the delegation.

"The hasty withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from Afghanistan actually marks the failure of the US policy toward Afghanistan," the spokesman said.

State Councilor Wang Yi said that China, as Afghanistan's largest neighbor, has always respected Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, adhered to non-interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs and pursued a friendly policy toward the entire Afghan people. 

"Afghanistan belongs to the Afghan people, and its future should be in the hands of its own people". 

It is definitely the first time a senior commander of the Taliban organisation has visited China since the Taliban’s capture of several key districts in Badakhshan and Kandahar provinces. 

Taliban fighters have claimed to have 'taken control of around half the country' up to its border with the Chinese region of Xinjiang. 

Wang Yi also urged the Taliban to crack down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), an Islamic group it alleges is fuelling unrest and separatism in China’s Xinjiang province from Afghanistan.

Baradar said the Taliban is willing to establish an inclusive political structure in Afghanistan, which protects human rights as well as the rights and interests of women and children.

In 2019, China had hosted a low-profile meeting with a Taliban delegation which met Deng Xijun, the special envoy for Afghanistan.

It is said, China has always been a trustworthy friend of the Afghan people and the Taliban. This development makes clear the axis between Beijing-Islamabad and the Taliban.

The US has sought to downplay the episode.

"I think many countries in – immediately neighboring Afghanistan and in the broader region, including China, have interests in Afghanistan. No one, whether it’s the United States, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Central Asian countries – no one has an interest in Afghanistan falling into an enduring civil war. 

No one has an interest in a military takeover of the country by the Taliban, the restoration of an Islamic emirate," visiting US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, told a television channel.

Step by Step: That's Democracy !

Blinken lauds Indian elections, Jaishankar flays Pak

New Delhi:

The United States on Wednesday applauded Indian democracy and specially the ‘free thinking citizens’ and ‘remarkable’ elections process. 

Speaking in presence of visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after their bilateral talks, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar directed his ire on Pakistan for its failure to fight terrorism in all its sincerity.

“...The most remarkable democratic election in the world, in many ways is here in India,” Blinken told a press conference in response to a question.

He said by ‘sheer numbers’, the Indian election is unique and it’s the “largest” exercise by the citizens “anywhere on earth”.
The US Secretary of State said democracy is never at perfect stage anywhere on the globe.
“Our entire quest is to get closer and closer to the ideals we (democracies) set for ourselves. That’s how societies make progress,” he said, however adding at times the ‘challenges’ to democracies could be “painful”.

In democracies, the ‘mechanisms’ work well and ensure co-existence of different faiths, free media, independent courts “powered by a system of free and fair elections”.

To a question, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar said, because of its greater involvement in Afghanistan when the US withdraws, there will be “consequences”.
“It is the policy to deal with what we have....,” he said adding the conversation between him and Blinken during the latter’s two-day visit have tried to dwell on these situations.

He emphasised like his US counterpart that military solution is no panacea to the problems in Afghanistan. “It is not that the outcome should be decided by force in the battle field....And Peace Negotiations should lead to peace. It should see cessation of violence”.

Dr Jaishankar maintained there is a “broad and deep consensus” that most of the neighbours of Afghanistan “agree with that”.

 At this point without naming any country, Dr Jaishankar, a career diplomat, remarked acidly : “I grant you not everybody who agrees, does what they say. I noted the exception which you pointed out to. But that is a reality.... that’s the reality of last 20 years”.