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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in crucial discussions on Friday in New Delhi, aiming to reinforce India's role as a pivotal regional counterbalance to China and garner support for the US stance on Israel's conflict with Hamas.
The annual "two-plus-two" talks, joined by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, brought together Blinken and Austin with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Described by India as focusing on "defence and security cooperation," the talks addressed the pressing global challenges faced by the world's two largest democracies.
Opening the discussions, Austin emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, "In the face of urgent global challenges, it's more important than ever that the world's two largest democracies exchange views, find common goals, and deliver for our people." He highlighted the substantial progress made in building a major defense partnership over the past year and emphasized the collaborative efforts for peace and stability, spanning from the sea to space.
India's role in the Quad alliance, comprising the United States, Australia, and Japan, took center stage during the talks. This alliance positions itself as a united front against China's increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. Blinken underlined their shared commitment to a "free and open, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific," citing collaborative measures such as the sharing of maritime satellite data to combat issues like illegal fishing, piracy, and drug trafficking.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, these talks underscore the strategic importance of the relationship between the United States and India in shaping the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
