"India will like to tell the US that they should keep a close watch on Afghanistan and adjoining areas"

 

...It's like saying - Hi, Americans be aware of Pakistanis

Issues concerning Afghanistan are important for both India and US, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said. 

He asserted that though the US forces have withdrawn from the war-ravaged Afghanistan, "India will like to tell the US that they should keep a close on Afghanistan and adjoining areas". 

New Delhi: There will be detailed discussions on the situation unfolding in Afghanistan at the maiden bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on September 24 in Washington.

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said on Tuesday that though the US forces have withdrawn from the war-ravaged Afghanistan, "India will like to tell the US that they should keep a close on Afghanistan and adjoining areas" 

  

"Any country that encourages non-state actors go against this (cross border terrorism), will be closely watched on". 

"The issues concerning Afghanistan are definitely important for both India and the US," Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said here on Sept 21. 

Briefing journalists on the Prime Minister's US visit beginning September 22, the Foreign Secretary said all relevant issues on the matter will be discussed between the two sides.

 "Different aspects....will be talked about," he said.

The Foreign Secretary maintained that the UN Security Council under India's chairmanship had adopted a resolution No. 2593.

"The resolution says clearly Afghanistan's territory should not be used against any other country. This was an important indicator from the international community and a benchmark," he said.

In this context making a veiled hint on Pakistan, Mr Shringla said, "Any country that encourages non-state actors go against this (cross border terrorism), will be closely watched on". 

"Regional security, architecture and terrorism-related issues will also be discussed between Indian and American delegations. The counter terrorism issue is also important," he said.

Jinnah's Pak: A Fall guy in Afghanistan

Quad and Aukus are not same nor will have major impact, says Foreign Secy

New Delhi: India on Tuesday asserted that the four-nation QUAD that includes India as well and the AUKUS, the trilateral security alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the US are not of similar nature.

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla told reporters here that the Quad has a group of countries that have a "shared vision" of their attributes and values. "This also has shared vision of the Indo Pacific as a free, open transparent and inclusive region," he said adding the Quad has also adopted "positive and proactive agenda" with a wide range of initiatives at the global level.

On the other hand, he said AUKUS is only a security alliance between three countries.

"We are not party to this alliance. From our perspective this is neither relevant to the Quad nor will it have any impact on its functioning," Shringla said.

He dismissed as 'hypothetical' a question on whether India would join AUKUS if invited.

The Foreign Secretary was briefing journalists on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US where he will attend the first Quad Summit in person to be hosted by US President Joe Biden and  will also be participated by Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia.

"PM Modi will participate in the COVID-19 Global Summit hosted by US President Biden. PM Modi,-US President bilateral meeting will also feature current regional security situation following developments in Afghanistan," he said.

"We would discuss the need to stem radicalisation, extremism, cross-border terrorism and dismantling of global terror networks," the Foreign Secretary said. 

He said the Quad caters to a wide range of issues including the likes of maritime security, education, climate change and even Covid19 pandemic.

On September 15, the heads of government of Australia, the UK and US announced the formation of a trilateral security pact, called AUKUS and it apparently aimed at dealing with rapidly evolving threats.

This was largely seen in reference to China and hence Foreign Secretary's statement has a significance of it own.

On the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Biden on Sep 24, he said both the leaders would review the India-US relations. 

"They are expected to discuss how to bolster trade and investment ties, strengthen defence and security collaborations, boost clean energy partnership among others," he said.

To a question, he said in his address to the UN General Assembly on September 25 in New York, Prime Minister Modi will definitely make a mention of the need for UN reforms.

He pointed out that while India celebrates Amrit Mahotsav, the UN also coincidentally completes 75 years of its existence.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and NSA Ajtit Doval.

The Foreign Secretary said the bilateral trade between India and the US has grown $ 149 billion in 2019.

"There is scope to take that even higher," he remarked adding in the defence sector too, both the countries had a number of exchanges.

"We are now preparing for Army-Naval exercises," he said and pointed out that the Malabar exercise is already on, wherein even Australia is a participant.

Mr Shringla said the Prime Minister's US visit is "expected to give momentum and provide directions to some of the important bilateral mechanisms".

ends  

Four Quad Leaders