<p>NATO allies on Wednesday pledged to provide a new air defence system to Ukraine, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned appeal to the western allies for military support to help ward off Russian forces.</p>

<p>During a meeting of 50 countries at the headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, the western allies recommitted to provide further military assistance to Kyiv, which is facing a barrage of Russian missiles in the aftermath of the Kerch bridge explosion.</p>

<p>“The whole world has just seen yet again the malice and cruelty of Putin's war of choice, rooted in aggression and waged with deep contempt for the rules of war," US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told the gathering, sitting next to Ukrainian defence&nbsp;minister Oleksii Reznikov.</p>

<p>"But Russia's latest assaults have only deepened the determination of the Ukrainian people and further united countries of goodwill from every region on Earth," he added.</p>

<p>Germany said that it has sent the first of four IRIS-T air defence systems to Kyiv, with the country’s defence minister Christine Lambrecht calling it a "very important support for Ukraine in the fight against missile attacks".</p>

<p>Reuters reported that a senior NATO official warned of a “physical response” from NATO should Russia use&nbsp;nuclear weapons.</p>

<p>The official, however, did not detail what sort of physical response it might entail.</p>

<p>Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing the G7 leaders virtually, Zelensky urged the allies to help his country establish an “air shield” against aerial attacks.</p>

<p>“When Ukraine receives a sufficient number of modern and effective air defence systems, the key element of Russian terror – missile strikes – will cease to work,” he told leaders of the G7 nations Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.</p>

<p>On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin intensified attacks on Ukraine, launching missile strikes across various cities in Ukraine, in response to the attack on the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland to the annexed Crimean Peninsula.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE: </strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


NATO allies on Wednesday pledged to provide a new air defence system to Ukraine, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned appeal to the western allies for military support to help ward off Russian forces.

NATO allies on Wednesday pledged to provide a new air defence system to Ukraine, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky made an impassioned appeal to the western allies for military support to help ward off Russian forces. During a meeting of 50 countries at the headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, the western allies recommitted to provide further military assistance to Kyiv, which is facing a barrage of Russian missiles in the aftermath of the Kerch bridge explosion. “The whole world has just seen yet again the malice and cruelty of Putin's war of choice, rooted in aggression and waged with deep contempt for the rules of war," US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told the gathering, sitting next to Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov. "But Russia's latest assaults have only deepened the determination of the Ukrainian people and further united countries of goodwill from every region on Earth," he added. Germany said that it has sent the first of four IRIS-T air defence systems to Kyiv, with the country’s defence minister Christine Lambrecht calling it a "very important support for Ukraine in the fight against missile attacks". Reuters reported that a senior NATO official warned of a “physical response” from NATO should Russia use nuclear weapons. The official, however, did not detail what sort of physical response it might entail. Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing the G7 leaders virtually, Zelensky urged the allies to help his country establish an “air shield” against aerial attacks. “When Ukraine receives a sufficient number of modern and effective air defence systems, the key element of Russian terror – missile strikes – will cease to work,” he told leaders of the G7 nations Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin intensified attacks on Ukraine, launching missile strikes across various cities in Ukraine, in response to the attack on the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

NATO pledges to provide air defence system to Ukraine pounded by Russian missiles

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3f69825b-a393-48ec-b7ba-7926c7d54749}{109}" paraid="127464002" >The United States has agreed on a historic partnership with leaders from the Pacific islands which can result in “big dollar” help for the region. It was a step taken by the US&nbsp;to stop the growing influence of China in the region as the aid is expected to be announced at the&nbsp;Pacific Islands Country Summit.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c4180f6c-3e4f-40ce-9453-e8516f562717}{93}" paraid="1690026141" >According to Washington Post, US President Joe Biden can announce an investment of around $860 million in various programs in order to help the islands. While no official statement has come from the White House, a US official told Reuters that the agreement for the investments is in place.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c4180f6c-3e4f-40ce-9453-e8516f562717}{93}" paraid="1690026141" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-18-million-without-power-as-hurricane-ian-causes-devastation-in-florida-520745" hreflang="en">More than 1.8 million without power as Hurricane Ian causes havoc in Florida</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3f69825b-a393-48ec-b7ba-7926c7d54749}{118}" paraid="1979940757" >This was the first time that the US hosted a summit involving leaders from the Pacific islands. Secretary of state&nbsp;Antony Blinken held meetings with all the major leaders in the summit and welcomed all the participating nations by saying&nbsp;- “You can count on the United States partnering with you.”&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d7dec352-7ba4-4415-a015-027343943183}{16}" paraid="436508587" >While it was reported that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not be signing the declaration with the US, reports suggest that he has also agreed to the proposed plans.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8e9e927a-3e08-40f5-bad2-b3b495f7a2d7}{102}" paraid="1109145005" >In April this year, the Solomon Islands signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement with China which focused on boosting the security capacity as well as humanitarian assistance in the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8e9e927a-3e08-40f5-bad2-b3b495f7a2d7}{102}" paraid="1109145005" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-poised-to-announce-annexation-after-sham-referendum-in-ukraine-520734">Russia poised to announce annexation after 'sham' referendum in Ukraine</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{19820f5b-d7c3-439e-8c5c-80b06c1c2e12}{33}" paraid="100485796" >While there were no mentions of China, Blinken said that the US would work with the islands on “preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific where every nation – no matter how big, no matter how small – has the right to choose its own path.”&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{65382302-2ada-4ca2-871a-1ec2e0115367}{147}" paraid="2103639950" >Joe Biden will be hosting the leaders from the Pacific islands on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


The United States has agreed on a historic partnership with leaders from the Pacific islands which can result in “big dollar” help for the region. It was a step taken by the US to stop the growing influence of China in the region as the aid is expected to be announced at the Pacific Islands Country Summit.

The United States has agreed on a historic partnership with leaders from the Pacific islands which can result in “big dollar” help for the region. It was a step taken by the US to stop the growing influence of China in the region as the aid is expected to be announced at the Pacific Islands Country Summit. According to Washington Post, US President Joe Biden can announce an investment of around $860 million in various programs in order to help the islands. While no official statement has come from the White House, a US official told Reuters that the agreement for the investments is in place. Also read | More than 1.8 million without power as Hurricane Ian causes havoc in Florida This was the first time that the US hosted a summit involving leaders from the Pacific islands. Secretary of state Antony Blinken held meetings with all the major leaders in the summit and welcomed all the participating nations by saying - “You can count on the United States partnering with you.” While it was reported that Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will not be signing the declaration with the US, reports suggest that he has also agreed to the proposed plans. In April this year, the Solomon Islands signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement with China which focused on boosting the security capacity as well as humanitarian assistance in the region. Also read | Russia poised to announce annexation after 'sham' referendum in Ukraine While there were no mentions of China, Blinken said that the US would work with the islands on “preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific where every nation – no matter how big, no matter how small – has the right to choose its own path.” Joe Biden will be hosting the leaders from the Pacific islands on Thursday.

United States and Pacific island nations agree to ‘declaration of partnership’, says Blinken

<p>US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world.</p>

<p>He said both countries have made significant progress in elevating their partnership through organisations like QUAD, the G20, and other global organisations, including at the United Nations. India's takeover of the G20 presidency in December this year is a way to drive more global cooperation and action, he added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Important discussion today with Indian External Affairs Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndia</a>'s continued collaboration on global health challenges, climate change and clean energy, food security, and the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndiaAt75?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndiaAt75</a> <a href="https://t.co/aZcMn9oXrP">pic.twitter.com/aZcMn9oXrP</a></p>
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1574821349763305478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>During their bilateral&nbsp;meeting on Tuesday, Blinken and Jaishankar discussed how both countries could achieve their economic, geopolitical, and security goals, including strengthening the India-US partnership.</p>

<p>Blinken referred to this alliance as an essential need to address every political challenge that people face, including climate change, health, and food security.</p>

<p>Blinken said, "Over the past years, we have made real progress in elevating that partnership bilaterally that is directly between us through institutions like the QUAD and the G-20 and in international organisations, including at the United Nations."</p>

<p>Jaishankar stated that the scope and depth of the US-India relationship have grown significantly, PTI reported. The Indian external affairs minister specifically mentioned that his conversation with Blinken also included a discussion on the turmoil in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our conversation covered the Ukraine conflict, its fuel-food-fertilizer implications, the Indo-pacific, resilient supply chains, climate change, Agenda 2030 , mobility, trusted research and G-20.<br />
<br />
Thank <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecBlinken</a> for his warm reception and many courtesies.</p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1574849967444922379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>A day earlier, Jaishankar had also met defence secretary Llyod Austin and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo.</p>

<p>Blinken said that US and India are looking for new ways to develop a much stronger economic partnership, through Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which both countries introduced in May.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>


US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world. He said both countries have made significant progress in elevating their partnership through organisations like QUAD, the G20, and other global organisations, including at the United Nations. India's takeover of the G20 presidency in December this year is a way to drive more global cooperation and action, he added. Important discussion today with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar about #USIndia's continued collaboration on global health challenges, climate change and clean energy, food security, and the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine. #USIndiaAt75 pic.twitter.com/aZcMn9oXrP — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 27, 2022 × During their bilateral meeting on Tuesday, Blinken and Jaishankar discussed how both countries could achieve their economic, geopolitical, and security goals, including strengthening the India-US partnership. Blinken referred to this alliance as an essential need to address every political challenge that people face, including climate change, health, and food security. Blinken said, "Over the past years, we have made real progress in elevating that partnership bilaterally that is directly between us through institutions like the QUAD and the G-20 and in international organisations, including at the United Nations." Jaishankar stated that the scope and depth of the US-India relationship have grown significantly, PTI reported. The Indian external affairs minister specifically mentioned that his conversation with Blinken also included a discussion on the turmoil in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation. Our conversation covered the Ukraine conflict, its fuel-food-fertilizer implications, the Indo-pacific, resilient supply chains, climate change, Agenda 2030 , mobility, trusted research and G-20. Thank @SecBlinken for his warm reception and many courtesies. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 27, 2022 × A day earlier, Jaishankar had also met defence secretary Llyod Austin and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo. Blinken said that US and India are looking for new ways to develop a much stronger economic partnership, through Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which both countries introduced in May. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Jaishankar, Blinken discuss ways to strengthen shared economic, security and geopolitical goals

<p paraeid="{3235a6a1-6268-447e-9813-dff3736402e5}{161}" paraid="684279168">Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left. Power comes first, democracy later.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790a65c1-a0ac-4727-aa97-ef9f4b1462a8}{248}" paraid="1242615240" >As Uncle Sam offers $450 million to maintain F-16 fighter jets to a nation that has often been accused of harbouring or encouraging terrorism, it does smell of great irony when the somewhat lapsed superpower cites countering terrorism as one of the stated objectives for the aid package. To understand this, we must understand both America and Pakistan with a sense of detail.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790a65c1-a0ac-4727-aa97-ef9f4b1462a8}{251}" paraid="1648130514" >But first, let us see what has changed for India, whose foreign minister Subrahamanyam Jaishankar minced no words as he lambasted Washington with a who-do-you-think-you-are-trying-to-fool attitude, inviting a State Department response that the US does not view Pakistan through an Indian lens.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790a65c1-a0ac-4727-aa97-ef9f4b1462a8}{251}" paraid="1648130514" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/f-16-aid-to-pakistan-us-responds-to-indian-foreign-minister-jaishankars-critical-remarks-520248">F-16 aid to Pakistan: US responds to Indian foreign minister Jaishankar’s critical remarks</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790a65c1-a0ac-4727-aa97-ef9f4b1462a8}{254}" paraid="264272465" >On the ground, little has changed in India's perception of the US: it is an intimate adversary, with a middling and meddling approach, singing the glories of shared democratic/liberal values and paeans to the virtues of free-market economics even as it footsies with Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, depending on an ad-hoc mix of its self-appointed role as a globocop, an agent of Wall Street capitalism and a practitioner of visa protectionism that hurts India's service exports.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{2}" paraid="128372071" >What has really changed is that under Dr. Jaishankar, India has skipped elegant diplomatese for sarcasm and a clear calling out of double standards. Much before his F-16 shot, the Minister of External Affairs had taunted&nbsp;the US on its questioning India's purchase of Ukraine-sanctions-tainted Russian oil even as Europe shopped for gas from Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{5}" paraid="2079590309" >In a way, this is all diplomacy-as-usual because both India and the US pursue their interests independently. Washington has compromised on democratic values and India has let go of its old Panchsheel principle of opposing interventions into national sovereignty by being publicly neutral on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine under whatever pretext.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{5}" paraid="2079590309" >Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-purchases-for-the-month-would-be-less-than-what-europe-does-in-an-afternoon-jaishankar-on-russian-oil-470374">&nbsp;Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{11}" paraid="883883447" >As an old Hindi/Urdu saying goes: <em>Hamam mei sab nange hain</em>. Everybody is naked in this bathtub.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{14}" paraid="1971054187" >Is there a deeper truth in all this but for episodic reiteration of every country pursuing its own interests? There is, for both India and the US, if they are to truly be the strategic allies they want/claim to be. Short-term diplomacy may be in narrow self-interest, but long-term views must align with core principles. India cannot drag its feet for too long as a neutral power even as Russia eats slices of Ukraine as if that country was some Italian pizza. The US, on the other hand, cannot be unconditionally friendly to the Pakistan army without considering its history (and that of its spy arm, the Inter-Services Intelligence) of effectively creating the atavistic Taliban in Afghanistan or of the Pakistani state playing ball with China on everything from business to the Kashmir dispute.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{17}" paraid="337721690" >Somewhere along the way, there has to be a joint Indo-US plan in which Pakistan has a role, not a standalone US plan in which India and Pakistan have separate roles. This is for Washington to realise and act on, and for India to drive home.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{20}" paraid="595450302" >New Delhi needs to reconcile with the idea that Pakistan, as an increasingly stronger democracy with an English-speaking civil society culture nurtured by British colonialism (and admittedly Indian civilisational roots), is a strange beast that needs special treatment beyond the caricatured desh-ka-dushman (enemy of our country) approach practised by the Narendra Modi government. This requires a painful mix of soft diplomacy, an assertive style and backroom deal-making.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{20}" paraid="595450302" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-appears-in-public-for-first-time-since-sco-summit-amid-rumours-520401" hreflang="en">Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{23}" paraid="1663852894" >And yes, this requires a quid-pro-quo from the US in the form of a visible role for India as an international interlocutor, not the patronising mention of India as a South Asian good boy.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{26}" paraid="2028193425" >India needs to understand that history may not be favourable for Islamabad's diplomatic gains, but geography most certainly is. Geopolitics certainly beats democratic dalliances, at least in the current phase of international diplomacy. Dr. Jaishankar understands this for sure, but how to drive a deal in such a context is where India's diplomacy is at. This requires deal-making diplomacy, not just biting words.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{29}" paraid="1664665530" >What rings true for India, above all this, after all those American handshakes, is a hard truth of foreign policy best expressed in a self-referential couplet by Pakistan's Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz:&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{32}" paraid="14198718" ><em>Tum takalluf ko bhi ikhlaas samajhtey ho Faraz&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{35}" paraid="919430913" ><em>Dost nahi hota har haath milane wala&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{38}" paraid="1275658590" >(You mistake mere formality for affection, dear Faraz&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{41}" paraid="1187897914" >Not everybody who shakes your hand is your friend).&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{89f38fbe-d2d9-4139-b964-97b35f4e68aa}{44}" paraid="885437819" >Pakistanis can teach India some fine diplomacy lessons, for sure.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></em></p>


Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left.

Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left. Power comes first, democracy later. As Uncle Sam offers $450 million to maintain F-16 fighter jets to a nation that has often been accused of harbouring or encouraging terrorism, it does smell of great irony when the somewhat lapsed superpower cites countering terrorism as one of the stated objectives for the aid package. To understand this, we must understand both America and Pakistan with a sense of detail. But first, let us see what has changed for India, whose foreign minister Subrahamanyam Jaishankar minced no words as he lambasted Washington with a who-do-you-think-you-are-trying-to-fool attitude, inviting a State Department response that the US does not view Pakistan through an Indian lens. Also read | F-16 aid to Pakistan: US responds to Indian foreign minister Jaishankar’s critical remarks On the ground, little has changed in India's perception of the US: it is an intimate adversary, with a middling and meddling approach, singing the glories of shared democratic/liberal values and paeans to the virtues of free-market economics even as it footsies with Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, depending on an ad-hoc mix of its self-appointed role as a globocop, an agent of Wall Street capitalism and a practitioner of visa protectionism that hurts India's service exports. What has really changed is that under Dr. Jaishankar, India has skipped elegant diplomatese for sarcasm and a clear calling out of double standards. Much before his F-16 shot, the Minister of External Affairs had taunted the US on its questioning India's purchase of Ukraine-sanctions-tainted Russian oil even as Europe shopped for gas from Russia. In a way, this is all diplomacy-as-usual because both India and the US pursue their interests independently. Washington has compromised on democratic values and India has let go of its old Panchsheel principle of opposing interventions into national sovereignty by being publicly neutral on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine under whatever pretext. Also read | Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil As an old Hindi/Urdu saying goes: Hamam mei sab nange hain. Everybody is naked in this bathtub. Is there a deeper truth in all this but for episodic reiteration of every country pursuing its own interests? There is, for both India and the US, if they are to truly be the strategic allies they want/claim to be. Short-term diplomacy may be in narrow self-interest, but long-term views must align with core principles. India cannot drag its feet for too long as a neutral power even as Russia eats slices of Ukraine as if that country was some Italian pizza. The US, on the other hand, cannot be unconditionally friendly to the Pakistan army without considering its history (and that of its spy arm, the Inter-Services Intelligence) of effectively creating the atavistic Taliban in Afghanistan or of the Pakistani state playing ball with China on everything from business to the Kashmir dispute. Somewhere along the way, there has to be a joint Indo-US plan in which Pakistan has a role, not a standalone US plan in which India and Pakistan have separate roles. This is for Washington to realise and act on, and for India to drive home. New Delhi needs to reconcile with the idea that Pakistan, as an increasingly stronger democracy with an English-speaking civil society culture nurtured by British colonialism (and admittedly Indian civilisational roots), is a strange beast that needs special treatment beyond the caricatured desh-ka-dushman (enemy of our country) approach practised by the Narendra Modi government. This requires a painful mix of soft diplomacy, an assertive style and backroom deal-making. Also read | Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit And yes, this requires a quid-pro-quo from the US in the form of a visible role for India as an international interlocutor, not the patronising mention of India as a South Asian good boy. India needs to understand that history may not be favourable for Islamabad's diplomatic gains, but geography most certainly is. Geopolitics certainly beats democratic dalliances, at least in the current phase of international diplomacy. Dr. Jaishankar understands this for sure, but how to drive a deal in such a context is where India's diplomacy is at. This requires deal-making diplomacy, not just biting words. What rings true for India, above all this, after all those American handshakes, is a hard truth of foreign policy best expressed in a self-referential couplet by Pakistan's Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz: Tum takalluf ko bhi ikhlaas samajhtey ho Faraz Dost nahi hota har haath milane wala (You mistake mere formality for affection, dear Faraz Not everybody who shakes your hand is your friend). Pakistanis can teach India some fine diplomacy lessons, for sure. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

When US's F-16 aid talks Urdu diplomacy to Pakistan, a handshake is not a hug for India

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington praised PM Narendra Modi’s remark on the Ukraine war during the recent SCO summit.

Jaishankar-Blinken meet: US State Secy Blinken praises Indian PM Modi's stance on Ukraine war

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is all set to meet US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The Indian diplomat has reached Washington and was welcomed by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

WION Dispatch: Indian EAM Jaishankar to meet US State Secretary Antony Blinken in Washington

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged additional $10 million for flood victims in Pakistan during his meeting with Pak's foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the State Department.

WION Dispatch: Blinken meets Zardari, pledges additional $10 million for flood victims in Pakistan

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar received a grand welcome at the Pentagon as he met US Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin for bilateral talks. Indian EAM will also hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Indian EAM Jaishankar gets a grand welcome at Pentagon, all set to meet US State Secy Blinken

India's External Affairs minister S Jaishankar is all set to meet US secretary Antony Blinken. The top Indian diplomat has reached Washington and was received by US defence secretary Lloyd Austin.

Indian external minister S Jaishankar in Washington, will meet US secretary Antony Blinken today

<p>India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has concluded his New York leg of the 10-day visit to the United States, where he held more than 50 meetings, of which 40 were one-to-one, apart from bilateral, trilateral and group meetings.</p>

<p>Many of his meetings with his counterparts were bilateral ones while some of them were informal meetings.</p>

<p>The bilateral meetings he had with are: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sweden foreign ministers (FM) Ann Linde, Syria FM Mekdad, Belarus FM Makei, Armenia FM, Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Russia FM Lavrov, Venezuela FM Carlos Faria, Jordan FM Hsafadi, Cyprus FM Ioannis Kasoulides, Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, Australia FM Penny Wong, Madagascar FM Richard J. Randriamandrato, Morocco FM Bourita, &nbsp;Spain FM José Manuel Albares Bueno, FMs of Greece, Paraguay, Moldova, Mexico, Japan, German, Bolivia, Norway, Estonia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Austria, Libya, Türkiye, &nbsp;Trinidad &amp; Tobago, Albania, Malta, Egypt, Indonesia, UAE, Cuba, Ethiopia, Serbia and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.</p>

<p>No structured bilateral meeting took place between Jaishankar and his Chinese or Pakistani counterparts given the present state of the relationship.</p>

<p>Jaishankar also participated in four key trilaterals at the ministerial level. These are the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA), India-France-Australia, India-Indonesia-Australia and India-France-UAE.</p>

<p>The IBSA meet issued a joint statement focussing on cooperation in multilateral organisations, South-South Cooperation and United Nations and Security Council reform.</p>

<p>India will be hosting the 6th IBSA summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November 2022 even as the presidency of the grouping is handed over to Brazil.</p>

<p>The other three trilateral meets focused on the Indo-Pacific issue.</p>

<p>The Indian foreign minister attended a meeting of five grouping meetings. These are: Quad, BRICS, G4, India-Caricom, G77 and bodies such as L69, India-CELAC Quartet.</p>

<p>The Quad’s joint statement said the focus has been on ransomware and the announcement of a partnership on humanitarian assistance.</p>

<p>India will be hosting the Quad foreign ministers meeting next year, and the summit in 2024.</p>

<p>While the G4 meet, including India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, called for reforms of the United Nations Security Council, BRICS in a media statement saw China and Russia “reiterating the importance to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs” and expressing support to their aspiration to “play a greater role in the UN”.</p>

<p>The statement, a standard one, does not clarify if China is keen on India getting a seat on the UNSC.</p>

<p>Notably, Beijing has been putting a block on UN reforms, especially India being on the high table.</p>

<p>Jaishankar also addressed the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly, where he put India's position and worldview on several issues.</p>

<p>The UNSC meet was on Ukraine and it was chaired by France. In the meeting, Jaishankar said, "Trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community" while expressing New Delhi's worries over the situation.</p>

<p>The UNGA speech undoubtedly was the key focus. The 17-minute-long speech saw, sending a message to both Islamabad on the issue of terrorism, and Beijing on four key counts—debt crisis, stalling UN reforms, stopping listing of terrorists at UN and stability and security of Indo-Pacific.</p>

<p>He said, "Those who politicize the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril.”</p>

<p>China, earlier this month, put a hold on the listing of the key mastermind of 26/11 Sajid Mir from listing at the UNSC's international terror list—the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions committee. This was the third time that China blocked the listing of a Pakistan terrorist after Abdul Rehman Makki and Abdul Rauf.</p>

<p>In the next leg of his visit, the Indian foreign minister will be holding talks with US Secretary of state Blinken in Washington.</p>

<p>On Monday evening, the US Secretary of State will host a working dinner for Jaishankar in McLean, Virginia, according to the state department schedule.</p>


India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has concluded his New York leg of the 10-day visit to the United States, where he held more than 50 meetings, of which 40 were one-to-one, apart from bilateral, trilateral and group meetings.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has concluded his New York leg of the 10-day visit to the United States, where he held more than 50 meetings, of which 40 were one-to-one, apart from bilateral, trilateral and group meetings. Many of his meetings with his counterparts were bilateral ones while some of them were informal meetings. The bilateral meetings he had with are: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sweden foreign ministers (FM) Ann Linde, Syria FM Mekdad, Belarus FM Makei, Armenia FM, Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Russia FM Lavrov, Venezuela FM Carlos Faria, Jordan FM Hsafadi, Cyprus FM Ioannis Kasoulides, Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, Australia FM Penny Wong, Madagascar FM Richard J. Randriamandrato, Morocco FM Bourita, Spain FM José Manuel Albares Bueno, FMs of Greece, Paraguay, Moldova, Mexico, Japan, German, Bolivia, Norway, Estonia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Austria, Libya, Türkiye, Trinidad & Tobago, Albania, Malta, Egypt, Indonesia, UAE, Cuba, Ethiopia, Serbia and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. No structured bilateral meeting took place between Jaishankar and his Chinese or Pakistani counterparts given the present state of the relationship. Jaishankar also participated in four key trilaterals at the ministerial level. These are the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA), India-France-Australia, India-Indonesia-Australia and India-France-UAE. The IBSA meet issued a joint statement focussing on cooperation in multilateral organisations, South-South Cooperation and United Nations and Security Council reform. India will be hosting the 6th IBSA summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November 2022 even as the presidency of the grouping is handed over to Brazil. The other three trilateral meets focused on the Indo-Pacific issue. The Indian foreign minister attended a meeting of five grouping meetings. These are: Quad, BRICS, G4, India-Caricom, G77 and bodies such as L69, India-CELAC Quartet. The Quad’s joint statement said the focus has been on ransomware and the announcement of a partnership on humanitarian assistance. India will be hosting the Quad foreign ministers meeting next year, and the summit in 2024. While the G4 meet, including India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, called for reforms of the United Nations Security Council, BRICS in a media statement saw China and Russia “reiterating the importance to the status and role of Brazil, India and South Africa in international affairs” and expressing support to their aspiration to “play a greater role in the UN”. The statement, a standard one, does not clarify if China is keen on India getting a seat on the UNSC. Notably, Beijing has been putting a block on UN reforms, especially India being on the high table. Jaishankar also addressed the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly, where he put India's position and worldview on several issues. The UNSC meet was on Ukraine and it was chaired by France. In the meeting, Jaishankar said, "Trajectory of the Ukraine conflict is a matter of profound concern for the entire international community" while expressing New Delhi's worries over the situation. The UNGA speech undoubtedly was the key focus. The 17-minute-long speech saw, sending a message to both Islamabad on the issue of terrorism, and Beijing on four key counts—debt crisis, stalling UN reforms, stopping listing of terrorists at UN and stability and security of Indo-Pacific. He said, "Those who politicize the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril.” China, earlier this month, put a hold on the listing of the key mastermind of 26/11 Sajid Mir from listing at the UNSC's international terror list—the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions committee. This was the third time that China blocked the listing of a Pakistan terrorist after Abdul Rehman Makki and Abdul Rauf. In the next leg of his visit, the Indian foreign minister will be holding talks with US Secretary of state Blinken in Washington. On Monday evening, the US Secretary of State will host a working dinner for Jaishankar in McLean, Virginia, according to the state department schedule.

India's Jaishankar concludes New York visit with over 50 meetings, focus shifts to Washington

<p>Billionaire Elon Musk offered the activation of Starlink satellites following US secretary of state Antony Blinken's announcement of boosting efforts to bolster Iranian protests.</p>

<p>Amid protests that have sprung up around Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of morality police, Musk and Washington came out in favour of the openness.</p>

<p>With protesters torching police stations as well as vehicles&nbsp;and reports of security forces coming under attack, public outrage in Iran over Mahsa Amini's death last week is not showing any signs of abating following days of protests in Tehran and other cities.</p>

<p>Starlink, which provides satellite Internet access coverage to 40 countries, is operated by SpaceX which was founded by Musk.</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/death-of-young-iranian-woman-puts-spotlight-on-morality-police-518995">Death of young Iranian woman puts spotlight on morality police</a></strong></p>

<p>Asking for a sanctions exception to do so, Musk said his company would provide Starlink to Iranians like it had done for the Ukrainian military following Russia's invasion.</p>

<p>Urging her to ease restrictions on internet services to Iran, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sent a letter this week to treasury secretary Janet Yellen.</p>

<p>Welcoming Musk's offer, a senior treasury official told reporters that the general export licence does not cover hardware.</p>

<p>Calling it a bid "to prevent the world from watching its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters," the US slammed Iran for cutting off internet services and eased export restrictions.</p>

<p>"This is a concrete step to provide meaningful support to Iranians demanding that their basic rights be respected," said Blinken.</p>

<p>After being detained for "improperly" wearing the Islamic headscarf, Amini spent three days in coma and subsequently died.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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Billionaire Elon Musk offered the activation of Starlink satellites following US secretary of state Antony Blinken's announcement of boosting efforts to bolster Iranian protests.

Billionaire Elon Musk offered the activation of Starlink satellites following US secretary of state Antony Blinken's announcement of boosting efforts to bolster Iranian protests. Amid protests that have sprung up around Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman in the custody of morality police, Musk and Washington came out in favour of the openness. With protesters torching police stations as well as vehicles and reports of security forces coming under attack, public outrage in Iran over Mahsa Amini's death last week is not showing any signs of abating following days of protests in Tehran and other cities. Starlink, which provides satellite Internet access coverage to 40 countries, is operated by SpaceX which was founded by Musk. Also see | Death of young Iranian woman puts spotlight on morality police Asking for a sanctions exception to do so, Musk said his company would provide Starlink to Iranians like it had done for the Ukrainian military following Russia's invasion. Urging her to ease restrictions on internet services to Iran, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers sent a letter this week to treasury secretary Janet Yellen. Welcoming Musk's offer, a senior treasury official told reporters that the general export licence does not cover hardware. Calling it a bid "to prevent the world from watching its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters," the US slammed Iran for cutting off internet services and eased export restrictions. "This is a concrete step to provide meaningful support to Iranians demanding that their basic rights be respected," said Blinken. After being detained for "improperly" wearing the Islamic headscarf, Amini spent three days in coma and subsequently died. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Musk offers activation of Starlink satellites after Blinken boosts efforts to bolster Iran protests

<p>US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. A senior US official told reporters that Taiwan was the focus of the 90-minute "direct and honest" talks held between the two. China's foreign ministry, in a statement on the meeting, said the United States was sending "very wrong, dangerous signals" on Taiwan, and the more rampant Taiwan's independence activity, the less likely there would be a peaceful settlement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Taiwan issue is an internal Chinese matter, and the United States has no right to interfere in what method will be used to resolve it," the ministry cited Wang as saying.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosis-visit-to-taiwan-has-brought-it-closer-to-precipice-of-war-says-former-australian-pm-kevin-rudd-510272">Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has made the island less secure, says former Australian PM Kevin Rudd</a></p>

<p>Earlier in the meeting, Blinken told his Chinese counterpart that the maintenance of peace and stability over Taiwan was vitally important.</p>

<p>"For our part, the secretary made crystal clear that, in accordance with our long-standing one-China policy, which again has not changed, the maintenance of peace and stability across the Strait is absolutely, vitally important," a senior US administration official told reporters.</p>

<p>Tensions over Taiwan have soared after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit there in August. China responded by holding large-scale military drills. Recently, US President Joe Biden said that they would defend the democratically governed island.</p>

<p>The White House has insisted its Taiwan policy has not changed, but China said Biden's remarks sent the wrong signal to those seeking an independent Taiwan.</p>

<p>In a phone call with Biden in July before Pelosi's visit, Chinese leader Xi Jinping had warned about Taiwan, saying "those who play with fire will perish by it."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-cares-nancy-pelosi-laughs-at-chinas-decision-to-sanction-her-and-her-family-505746">'Who cares?', Nancy Pelosi laughs at China's decision to sanction her and her family</a></p>

<p>China sees Taiwan as one of its provinces and has long vowed to bring the island under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Taiwan's government strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's 23 million people can decide its future.</p>

<p>Taiwan's foreign ministry, responding to the meeting between Blinken and Wang, said China's "recent provocative actions" had made the Taiwan Strait a focus of discussion, and China was trying to "confuse the international audience with arguments and criticisms that contradict reality."</p>

<p>The State Department had said earlier that Blinken's meeting with Wang was part of a U.S. effort to "maintain open lines of communication and manage competition responsibly," and the senior official said Blinken had reiterated US openness to "cooperating with China on matters of global concern."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. A senior US official told reporters that Taiwan was the focus of the 90-minute "direct and honest" talks held between the two.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. A senior US official told reporters that Taiwan was the focus of the 90-minute "direct and honest" talks held between the two. China's foreign ministry, in a statement on the meeting, said the United States was sending "very wrong, dangerous signals" on Taiwan, and the more rampant Taiwan's independence activity, the less likely there would be a peaceful settlement. "The Taiwan issue is an internal Chinese matter, and the United States has no right to interfere in what method will be used to resolve it," the ministry cited Wang as saying. Also Read | Pelosi's visit to Taiwan has made the island less secure, says former Australian PM Kevin Rudd Earlier in the meeting, Blinken told his Chinese counterpart that the maintenance of peace and stability over Taiwan was vitally important. "For our part, the secretary made crystal clear that, in accordance with our long-standing one-China policy, which again has not changed, the maintenance of peace and stability across the Strait is absolutely, vitally important," a senior US administration official told reporters. Tensions over Taiwan have soared after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit there in August. China responded by holding large-scale military drills. Recently, US President Joe Biden said that they would defend the democratically governed island. The White House has insisted its Taiwan policy has not changed, but China said Biden's remarks sent the wrong signal to those seeking an independent Taiwan. In a phone call with Biden in July before Pelosi's visit, Chinese leader Xi Jinping had warned about Taiwan, saying "those who play with fire will perish by it." Also Read | 'Who cares?', Nancy Pelosi laughs at China's decision to sanction her and her family China sees Taiwan as one of its provinces and has long vowed to bring the island under its control and has not ruled out the use of force to do so. Meanwhile, Taiwan's government strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's 23 million people can decide its future. Taiwan's foreign ministry, responding to the meeting between Blinken and Wang, said China's "recent provocative actions" had made the Taiwan Strait a focus of discussion, and China was trying to "confuse the international audience with arguments and criticisms that contradict reality." The State Department had said earlier that Blinken's meeting with Wang was part of a U.S. effort to "maintain open lines of communication and manage competition responsibly," and the senior official said Blinken had reiterated US openness to "cooperating with China on matters of global concern." (With inputs from agencies)

US sending 'dangerous signals' on Taiwan, says Chinese foreign minister after one-on-one talks with Blinken

The United Nations Security Council held a crucial meeting focusing on Russia's war in Ukraine. It was the first direct encounter between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukraine's Dmytro Kuleba.

UNSC discusses abuses in Ukraine

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held an informal meeting with the US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UNGA. This is the first meeting between the two leaders. Biden urged the world to help 'underwater' Pak.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif attends Biden's reception in New York

The US has offered to break a truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan - the countries involved in violent clashes last week that killed 286 people on both sides. The US' Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, hosted foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on the sidelines of UNGA meet.

US' Antony Blinken hosts Azerbaijan, Armenia delegations

<p>Warning that Tehran's position jeopardises prospects of restoring the 2015 accord, European powers on Saturday raised "serious doubts" over Iran's sincerity in seeking a nuclear agreement.</p>

<p>Issuing a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, Germany and France said the latest demands made by Iran have made them question its commitment to the nuclear deal.</p>

<p>''Iran continues to escalate its nuclear programme way beyond any plausible civilian justification,'' they added.</p>

<p>Under the Non-Proliferation Treaty that was concluded with the UN atomic energy watchdog IAEA, Tehran has also reopened issues related to its legally binding obligations.</p>

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<p>It comes after Iran was accused of being tied to a disruptive cyberattack on Albania by the United States.</p>

<p>Ordering Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours, Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Wednesday due to the incident.</p>

<p>Although European mediators last month appeared to make progress in restoring the deal, optimism dimmed when the United States sent a reply.</p>

<p>Former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Iran after trashing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).</p>

<p>While hopes of revival grew under President Joe Biden, a White House spokesperson said that he wants to ensure the US has "other available options" to ensure that Iran does not achieve nuclear weapons capability.</p>

<p>Calling Iran's latest reply on the nuclear deal a step "backwards", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Washington is "not about to agree to a deal that doesn't meet our bottom-line requirements".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>Watch WION's live TV here:</strong></p>

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Warning that Tehran's position jeopardises prospects of restoring the 2015 accord, European powers on Saturday raised "serious doubts" over Iran's sincerity in seeking a nuclear agreement.

Warning that Tehran's position jeopardises prospects of restoring the 2015 accord, European powers on Saturday raised "serious doubts" over Iran's sincerity in seeking a nuclear agreement. Issuing a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, Germany and France said the latest demands made by Iran have made them question its commitment to the nuclear deal. ''Iran continues to escalate its nuclear programme way beyond any plausible civilian justification,'' they added. Under the Non-Proliferation Treaty that was concluded with the UN atomic energy watchdog IAEA, Tehran has also reopened issues related to its legally binding obligations. × It comes after Iran was accused of being tied to a disruptive cyberattack on Albania by the United States. Ordering Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours, Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Wednesday due to the incident. Although European mediators last month appeared to make progress in restoring the deal, optimism dimmed when the United States sent a reply. Former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Iran after trashing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). While hopes of revival grew under President Joe Biden, a White House spokesperson said that he wants to ensure the US has "other available options" to ensure that Iran does not achieve nuclear weapons capability. Calling Iran's latest reply on the nuclear deal a step "backwards", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Washington is "not about to agree to a deal that doesn't meet our bottom-line requirements". (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Nuclear deal: European powers express doubts over Iran's sincerity and commitment

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to not dictate Africa's choices during a three-nation tour of the continent. Blinken's trip comes two weeks after Russia's foreign minister visited Africa. Palki Sharma decodes the new race for the continent.

Gravitas: Blinken vows to not dictate Africa's choices

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has kicked off his Africa trip on Sunday by paying tribute to the Soweto uprising. During his tour, Blinken is expected to launch the US strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and to hold talks on health infrastructure, trade and climate change.

Antony Blinken aims to bring South Africa into western fold

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken kicks off Africa tour

<p>Slamming Russia's actions around Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called it "the height of irresponsibility."</p>

<p>Accusing Moscow of using it as a "nuclear shield" in attacks on Ukrainian forces, Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned" that Moscow was now using the plant as a military base.</p>

<p>After nuclear nonproliferation talks at the United Nations in New York, Blinken told reporters &nbsp;that "Of course, the Ukrainians cannot fire back lest there be a terrible accident involving the nuclear plant."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling it a "nuclear shield," Blinken said Russia's actions went beyond war crimes and it should be punished for it.</p>

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<p>If the vital interests of the US or its allies were in danger, then also Washington&nbsp;would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances according to Blinken.</p>

<p>It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that nuclear war should not be unleashed as there could be no winners in such a war.</p>

<p>Blaming trade for the attack on a prison in Olenivka, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of killing dozens of prisoners of war captured after the fall of Mariupol.</p>

<p>While Kyiv said Russia was behind the of shelling the prison to cover up the alleged torture and execution of Ukrainians, Moscow claimed that Ukraine’s military used US-supplied precision High Mobility Artillery Rocket System rockets to strike the prison.</p>

<p>During the first weeks of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was accused of firing shells dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhia plant.</p>

<p><strong>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.&nbsp;</strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Slamming Russia's actions around Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called it "the height of irresponsibility." Accusing Moscow of using it as a "nuclear shield" in attacks on Ukrainian forces, Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned" that Moscow was now using the plant as a military base.

Slamming Russia's actions around Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called it "the height of irresponsibility." Accusing Moscow of using it as a "nuclear shield" in attacks on Ukrainian forces, Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned" that Moscow was now using the plant as a military base. After nuclear nonproliferation talks at the United Nations in New York, Blinken told reporters that "Of course, the Ukrainians cannot fire back lest there be a terrible accident involving the nuclear plant." Calling it a "nuclear shield," Blinken said Russia's actions went beyond war crimes and it should be punished for it. × If the vital interests of the US or its allies were in danger, then also Washington would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances according to Blinken. It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that nuclear war should not be unleashed as there could be no winners in such a war. Blaming trade for the attack on a prison in Olenivka, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of killing dozens of prisoners of war captured after the fall of Mariupol. While Kyiv said Russia was behind the of shelling the prison to cover up the alleged torture and execution of Ukrainians, Moscow claimed that Ukraine’s military used US-supplied precision High Mobility Artillery Rocket System rockets to strike the prison. During the first weeks of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was accused of firing shells dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhia plant. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

'Height of irresponsibility': Blinken slams Russia's actions around Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant

<p>Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers.</p>

<p>Highlighting that many countries in the region were under pressure to take sides, Yi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should insulate it from geopolitical calculations.</p>

<p>With countries in the region now wary of being caught in the middle of US-China rivalry, Southeast Asia has long been an area of geopolitical friction between major powers given its strategic importance.</p>

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<p>Some ASEAN countries are at loggerheads with China due to its claims to almost the entire South China Sea as its territory.</p>

<p>Amid intense Chinese diplomacy that has seen him make a string of stops across the region, Wang's speech comes just days after he attended a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali.</p>

<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first in-person talks since October with Wang on the sidelines of the G20 summit and uphold regionalism in the Asia-Pacific.</p>

<p>Both the US and China have been clashing over Beijing's repeated air missions over the Taiwan Strait.</p>

<p>While the US is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself under its US Taiwan Relations Act, China considers Taiwan its "sacred" territory.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers.

Warning that the Indo-Pacific region is at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, China's foreign minister Wang Yi has asked Asian countries to avoid being used as "chess pieces" by major powers. Highlighting that many countries in the region were under pressure to take sides, Yi said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should insulate it from geopolitical calculations. With countries in the region now wary of being caught in the middle of US-China rivalry, Southeast Asia has long been an area of geopolitical friction between major powers given its strategic importance. × Some ASEAN countries are at loggerheads with China due to its claims to almost the entire South China Sea as its territory. Amid intense Chinese diplomacy that has seen him make a string of stops across the region, Wang's speech comes just days after he attended a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first in-person talks since October with Wang on the sidelines of the G20 summit and uphold regionalism in the Asia-Pacific. Both the US and China have been clashing over Beijing's repeated air missions over the Taiwan Strait. While the US is required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself under its US Taiwan Relations Act, China considers Taiwan its "sacred" territory. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Indo-Pacific region at risk of being reshaped by geopolitical factors, says China

<p>The State Department announced late on Saturday (July 9)&nbsp;that US Secretary Antony Blinken would be extending his travel to Asia to include a stop in Tokyo so that he could express his condolences to the Japanese for the death of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who has been assassinated. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meanwhile decided to postpone her visit to the Port of Yokohama during, following the murder of Abe, an official announced. However, her bilateral meetings in Japan will still happen, as per the official.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The world’s longest-serving prime minister, Abe was shot on Friday (July 8), while campaigning in one of the safest nations in the world. In an effort to break some of his nation’s post-war pacifism, Abe had established close ties with the US, particularly in the area of defence.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/undeniable-flaws-in-security-nara-police-chief-takes-responsibility-for-shinzo-abes-assassination-495900">Shinzo Abe's assassination: Local police say there were 'undeniable flaws' in security</a></strong></p>

<p>Prior to that, US President Joe Biden personally visited the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Washington to sign a condolence book.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: A look back at Shinzo Abe's political legacy</strong></p>

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<p>Blinken, after Group of 20 talks in Bali, said, "Prime Minister Abe really brought that partnership to new heights. The friendship between the Japanese and American people is likewise unshakable. He further added, "So we're standing with the people of Japan, with the prime minister's family, in the aftermath of a truly, truly appalling act of violence."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shinzo-abes-killing-tetsuya-yamagami-initially-planned-to-attack-religious-leader-say-police-495852">Shinzo Abe’s killing: Tetsuya Yamagami initially planned to attack religious leader, say Police</a></strong></p>

<p>Yellen was supposed to visit the port, participate in a roundtable with business executives, tour the facilities and give a speech.&nbsp;During her visit to Asia, Yellen will be attending a gathering of the Group of 20 major economies in Indonesia and speaking with South Korean officials in an effort to rally support for a price ceiling on Russian oil, the Treasury Department said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The State Department announced late on Saturday (July 9) that US Secretary Antony Blinken would be extending his travel to Asia to include a stop in Tokyo so that he could express his condolences to the Japanese for the death of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who has been assassinated.

The State Department announced late on Saturday (July 9) that US Secretary Antony Blinken would be extending his travel to Asia to include a stop in Tokyo so that he could express his condolences to the Japanese for the death of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who has been assassinated. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meanwhile decided to postpone her visit to the Port of Yokohama during, following the murder of Abe, an official announced. However, her bilateral meetings in Japan will still happen, as per the official. The world’s longest-serving prime minister, Abe was shot on Friday (July 8), while campaigning in one of the safest nations in the world. In an effort to break some of his nation’s post-war pacifism, Abe had established close ties with the US, particularly in the area of defence. Also read | Shinzo Abe's assassination: Local police say there were 'undeniable flaws' in security Prior to that, US President Joe Biden personally visited the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Washington to sign a condolence book. Watch | Gravitas: A look back at Shinzo Abe's political legacy Blinken, after Group of 20 talks in Bali, said, "Prime Minister Abe really brought that partnership to new heights. The friendship between the Japanese and American people is likewise unshakable. He further added, "So we're standing with the people of Japan, with the prime minister's family, in the aftermath of a truly, truly appalling act of violence." Also read | Shinzo Abe’s killing: Tetsuya Yamagami initially planned to attack religious leader, say Police Yellen was supposed to visit the port, participate in a roundtable with business executives, tour the facilities and give a speech. During her visit to Asia, Yellen will be attending a gathering of the Group of 20 major economies in Indonesia and speaking with South Korean officials in an effort to rally support for a price ceiling on Russian oil, the Treasury Department said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US mourns for Shinzo Abe: Blinken to visit Japan to pay condolences, Yellen cancels speech in deference

In the first in person talks since last October, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met with US secretary of state Antony Blinken to have talks about cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese FM & US Secretary of State Blinken meet in Bali

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<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (July 9) said that they saw "no signs" of Russia engaging with G20 diplomats to discuss Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The G20 foreign ministers met on Friday in Indonesia to discuss global issues but the key meeting in Bali was overshadowed by the war in Ukraine and its impact on the world economy. The host Indonesia urged foreign ministers to help end the conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Moscow faced&nbsp;a barrage of criticism at talks in Indonesia. Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov stormed out of a meeting after Washington and its allies condemned Moscow's assault on its neighbour during the closed-door talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-foreign-ministers-meet-russia-ukraine-war-overshadows-the-crucial-meeting-495673">G20 foreign ministers meet: Russia-Ukraine war overshadows the crucial meeting</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>After meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday, Blinken said, "We saw no signs whatsoever that Russia is prepared to engage in meaningful diplomacy. If there is an opportunity for diplomacy, we will seize it."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Indonesia came against the backdrop of raging battles in eastern Ukraine. Currently, there are tensions between Moscow and Western nations over the ongoing war. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Lavrov walks out&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>On Friday, Lavrov walked out of a morning session as his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock criticised Russia for Ukraine's invasion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After that, he left an afternoon session before Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the ministers virtually.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Blinken said, "There was a strong consensus and Russia was left isolated, as it has been many times since this war begin. In fact, Foreign Minister Lavrov left the meeting early, maybe because this message had been so resoundingly clear."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/breaking-sri-lankan-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-flees-as-angry-mob-stormed-the-presidential-palace-495814">Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine war tops agenda at G20 meeting as ministers discuss war's ramifications&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Some expected that bilateral talks might take place between US and Russian diplomats, but Blinken snubbed a direct meeting with Lavrov. Instead, Blinken accused Russia of the global food crisis. He also demanded Moscow allow grain shipments out of war-battered Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Previously, Lavrov had told reporters he would not "go running" after Washington for talks. He said, "It was not us who abandoned contact, it was the United States."&nbsp;</p>

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (July 9) said that they saw "no signs" of Russia engaging with G20 diplomats to discuss Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (July 9) said that they saw "no signs" of Russia engaging with G20 diplomats to discuss Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The G20 foreign ministers met on Friday in Indonesia to discuss global issues but the key meeting in Bali was overshadowed by the war in Ukraine and its impact on the world economy. The host Indonesia urged foreign ministers to help end the conflict. However, Moscow faced a barrage of criticism at talks in Indonesia. Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov stormed out of a meeting after Washington and its allies condemned Moscow's assault on its neighbour during the closed-door talks. ALSO READ | G20 foreign ministers meet: Russia-Ukraine war overshadows the crucial meeting After meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Saturday, Blinken said, "We saw no signs whatsoever that Russia is prepared to engage in meaningful diplomacy. If there is an opportunity for diplomacy, we will seize it." The G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Indonesia came against the backdrop of raging battles in eastern Ukraine. Currently, there are tensions between Moscow and Western nations over the ongoing war. Lavrov walks out On Friday, Lavrov walked out of a morning session as his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock criticised Russia for Ukraine's invasion. After that, he left an afternoon session before Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the ministers virtually. Blinken said, "There was a strong consensus and Russia was left isolated, as it has been many times since this war begin. In fact, Foreign Minister Lavrov left the meeting early, maybe because this message had been so resoundingly clear." ALSO READ | Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa flees as angry mob storms presidential palace WATCH | Ukraine war tops agenda at G20 meeting as ministers discuss war's ramifications × Some expected that bilateral talks might take place between US and Russian diplomats, but Blinken snubbed a direct meeting with Lavrov. Instead, Blinken accused Russia of the global food crisis. He also demanded Moscow allow grain shipments out of war-battered Ukraine. Previously, Lavrov had told reporters he would not "go running" after Washington for talks. He said, "It was not us who abandoned contact, it was the United States." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'No signs' Russia ready to engage after G20 snub, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a G20 ministerial conference in Bali, Indonesia this week.

Blinken to meet China’s Wang Yi on sidelines of G20 meet in Bali

<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (June 25) said that Russia's war against Ukraine will add another 40 or 50 million more people to the ranks of the hungry.</p>

<p>Speaking at a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Blinken said, "There is no reason other than Russia's blockade of Ukraine and Russia's refusal in many cases to export its own grain for political reasons."</p>

<p>"I would like to highlight that in contrast to what Russia says, it is not the sanctions (that) are responsible" for the crisis, he said.</p>

<p>"Food security is a global good that must not be utilised as a tool for political means," he added.</p>

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<p>To counter Russia's "cynical", potentially destabilising grains war and the corresponding propaganda, all international partners need to working together according to Baerbock.</p>

<p>Accusing Russia of taking the world hostage with its "grain war", Baerbock said Moscow is "deliberately causing food prices to explode ... in order to destabilise entire countries".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-months-into-the-russian-aggression-ukraine-retreats-from-key-embattled-city-of-sievierodonetsk-491358" hreflang="en">Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk</a></strong></p>

<p>Grain deliveries across the Black Sea have been stalled by minefields and a Russian military blockade of Ukrainian ports as a result of Russia's invasion of top agricultural exporter Ukraine.</p>

<p>Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, food prices have soared and contributed to the global spike in inflation.</p>

<p>Because of their heavy dependence on Russian and Ukrainian wheat, poorer African countries are the most affected as per the United Nations.</p>

<p>Beleaguered British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged an additional 372 million pounds ($456 million) in aid by for the countries worst affected by rising global food prices, including 130 million pounds for the World Food Programme this financial year.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (June 25) said that Russia's war against Ukraine will add another 40 or 50 million more people to the ranks of the hungry.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday (June 25) said that Russia's war against Ukraine will add another 40 or 50 million more people to the ranks of the hungry. Speaking at a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Blinken said, "There is no reason other than Russia's blockade of Ukraine and Russia's refusal in many cases to export its own grain for political reasons." "I would like to highlight that in contrast to what Russia says, it is not the sanctions (that) are responsible" for the crisis, he said. "Food security is a global good that must not be utilised as a tool for political means," he added. × To counter Russia's "cynical", potentially destabilising grains war and the corresponding propaganda, all international partners need to working together according to Baerbock. Accusing Russia of taking the world hostage with its "grain war", Baerbock said Moscow is "deliberately causing food prices to explode ... in order to destabilise entire countries". Also read | Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk Grain deliveries across the Black Sea have been stalled by minefields and a Russian military blockade of Ukrainian ports as a result of Russia's invasion of top agricultural exporter Ukraine. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, food prices have soared and contributed to the global spike in inflation. Because of their heavy dependence on Russian and Ukrainian wheat, poorer African countries are the most affected as per the United Nations. Beleaguered British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged an additional 372 million pounds ($456 million) in aid by for the countries worst affected by rising global food prices, including 130 million pounds for the World Food Programme this financial year. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Blinken says Russia's war against Ukraine to cast 40-50 million people into hunger

<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 6) called reports of Russia stealing Ukrainian grain 'credible. This allegation has already been made by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.</p>

<p>"There are credible reports... that Russia is pilfering Ukraine's grain exports to sell for its own profit," Blinken said at a State Department conference on food security issues arising from the invasion of Ukraine.</p>

<p>"Now, Russia is hoarding its food exports as well," Blinken added, outlining the reasons for the sharp surge in global prices for wheat and other grains, and looming shortages.</p>

<p>Blinken noted that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was having 'devastating impact on global food security since Ukraine was "one of the breadbaskets of the world"</p>

<p>The New York Times reported Monday that a number of freight vessels have departed Russia-controlled ports with what US officials have described as "stolen Ukrainian grain."</p>

<p>The report said that the United States has alerted 14 countries, mostly in Africa, about the shipments, as many of them are dependent on grain imports and already face severely constrained supplies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Pics | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russia-ukraine-conflict-finnish-women-take-up-weapons-just-in-case-of-an-attack-485722">Russia-Ukraine conflict: Finnish women take up weapons 'just in case' of an attack</a></strong></p>

<p>Blinken said that Russian navy was taking effort to 'blackmail' the world in supporting Russia's war by blocking grain carriers from leaving the Black Sea port of Odessa.</p>

<p>"Right now a Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea is preventing Ukraine's crops from being shipped to their normal destinations," he said.</p>

<p>"There is somewhere around 20 million tonnes of wheat that is trapped in silos near Odessa, and in ships literally filled with grain that are stuck in the Odessa port because of this Russian blockade."</p>

<p>Blinken said it was a deliberate strategy by Russian President Vladimir Putin to force the rest of the world "to give in to him," and eliminate sanctions on russia.</p>

<p>"In other words, quite simply put, it's blackmail," Blinken said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 6) called reports of Russia stealing Ukrainian grain 'credible. This allegation has already been made by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday (June 6) called reports of Russia stealing Ukrainian grain 'credible. This allegation has already been made by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. "There are credible reports... that Russia is pilfering Ukraine's grain exports to sell for its own profit," Blinken said at a State Department conference on food security issues arising from the invasion of Ukraine. "Now, Russia is hoarding its food exports as well," Blinken added, outlining the reasons for the sharp surge in global prices for wheat and other grains, and looming shortages. Blinken noted that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was having 'devastating impact on global food security since Ukraine was "one of the breadbaskets of the world" The New York Times reported Monday that a number of freight vessels have departed Russia-controlled ports with what US officials have described as "stolen Ukrainian grain." The report said that the United States has alerted 14 countries, mostly in Africa, about the shipments, as many of them are dependent on grain imports and already face severely constrained supplies. Pics | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Finnish women take up weapons 'just in case' of an attack Blinken said that Russian navy was taking effort to 'blackmail' the world in supporting Russia's war by blocking grain carriers from leaving the Black Sea port of Odessa. "Right now a Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea is preventing Ukraine's crops from being shipped to their normal destinations," he said. "There is somewhere around 20 million tonnes of wheat that is trapped in silos near Odessa, and in ships literally filled with grain that are stuck in the Odessa port because of this Russian blockade." Blinken said it was a deliberate strategy by Russian President Vladimir Putin to force the rest of the world "to give in to him," and eliminate sanctions on russia. "In other words, quite simply put, it's blackmail," Blinken said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Reports of Russia stealing Ukraine grain 'credible', says Blinken

<p>The United States has slammed China for its religious repression and committing genocide against Uighurs. In the annual report on religious freedom across the world, released by the US State Department, the country's ambassador Rashad Hussain has said “far too many governments remain undeterred of their repression of their citizens”.</p>

<p>“It comes as no surprise that the People’s Republic of China is a glaring example here,” he told reporters.</p>

<p>“The PRC government continue[s] to commit genocide and crimes against humanity against Uighurs, who are predominantly Muslim, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups.”</p>

<p>According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ''China continues its genocide and repression of predominantly Muslim Uighurs and other religious minority groups.''</p>

<p>''Since April 2017 more than one million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and others have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang," he added.</p>

<p>Initially, China had denied the existence of any detention camps in Xinjiang. In 2018, Beijing said it had set up "vocational training centres" necessary to curb what it said was terrorism, separatism, and religious radicalism in the region.</p>

<p>“NGOs and media continued to report deaths in custody and that the government tortured, physically abused, arrested, disappeared, detained, sentenced to prison, subjected to forced labor and forced indoctrination in CCP ideology, and harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups for activities related to their religious beliefs and practices,” according to the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom.</p>

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<p>US authorities are ready to implement a ban on imports from China's Xinjiang region when a law requiring it becomes enforceable later in June.</p>

<p>''We're all on a very tight timeframe,'' Elva Muneton, Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) acting executive director for the UFLPA Implementation Task Force said.</p>

<p>"The expectation is that we will be ready to implement the Uyghur act on June 21, and that we have the resources," Muneton told a webinar on enforcing the law. "So the question is, are we ready to implement? Yes, we are," she said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-slams-chinas-efforts-to-restrict-and-manipulate-un-rights-chief-visit-to-xinjiang-483076"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;US slams China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief visit to Xinjiang</strong></a></p>

<p>Importers will have the option to re-export prohibited cargo back to the country of origin, and any exemptions to the presumption must be granted by the CBP commissioner and reported to Congress, Muneton said.</p>

<p>"It's important to know that the level of evidence that's going be required by the Uyghur act is very high," she said.</p>

<p>"It's going to require documentation, clear and convincing evidence, that the supply chain of the product that's being imported is free from forced labor."<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The United States has slammed China for its religious repression and committing genocide against Uighurs. In the annual report on religious freedom across the world, released by the US State Department, the country's ambassador Rashad Hussain has said “far too many governments remain undeterred of their repression of their citizens”.

The United States has slammed China for its religious repression and committing genocide against Uighurs. In the annual report on religious freedom across the world, released by the US State Department, the country's ambassador Rashad Hussain has said “far too many governments remain undeterred of their repression of their citizens”. “It comes as no surprise that the People’s Republic of China is a glaring example here,” he told reporters. “The PRC government continue[s] to commit genocide and crimes against humanity against Uighurs, who are predominantly Muslim, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups.” According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ''China continues its genocide and repression of predominantly Muslim Uighurs and other religious minority groups.'' ''Since April 2017 more than one million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and others have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang," he added. Initially, China had denied the existence of any detention camps in Xinjiang. In 2018, Beijing said it had set up "vocational training centres" necessary to curb what it said was terrorism, separatism, and religious radicalism in the region. “NGOs and media continued to report deaths in custody and that the government tortured, physically abused, arrested, disappeared, detained, sentenced to prison, subjected to forced labor and forced indoctrination in CCP ideology, and harassed adherents of both registered and unregistered religious groups for activities related to their religious beliefs and practices,” according to the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom. US authorities are ready to implement a ban on imports from China's Xinjiang region when a law requiring it becomes enforceable later in June. ''We're all on a very tight timeframe,'' Elva Muneton, Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) acting executive director for the UFLPA Implementation Task Force said. "The expectation is that we will be ready to implement the Uyghur act on June 21, and that we have the resources," Muneton told a webinar on enforcing the law. "So the question is, are we ready to implement? Yes, we are," she said. Also read | US slams China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief visit to Xinjiang Importers will have the option to re-export prohibited cargo back to the country of origin, and any exemptions to the presumption must be granted by the CBP commissioner and reported to Congress, Muneton said. "It's important to know that the level of evidence that's going be required by the Uyghur act is very high," she said. "It's going to require documentation, clear and convincing evidence, that the supply chain of the product that's being imported is free from forced labor." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

US slams China for its religious repression, committing genocide against Uighurs

<p>In a joint news conference with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (June 1) that Russia's war in Ukraine was expected to go on for "many months". Blinken said that as "best we can assess right now, we are still looking at many months of conflict".&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the presser, he said, "That could be over tomorrow if Russia chose to end the aggression. We don't see any signs of that right now."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"As long as this goes on, we want to make sure that Ukraine has in hand what it needs to defend itself and we want to make sure that Russia is feeling strong pressure from as many countries as possible to end the aggression," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/will-himars-the-high-precision-missile-system-that-us-is-sending-to-ukraine-be-a-game-changer-484167">Will HIMARS, the high precision missile system that US is sending to Ukraine, be a game-changer?</a></strong></p>

<p>He said this in context to the recent US arms supplies to war-torn Ukraine. The United States announced that it is sending advanced missile systems to Ukraine. The new weapon is the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;EU’s partial ban on Russian oil: How will it affect Russia?</strong></p>

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<p>The move has been criticised by Russia but Blinken said during the press conference that Ukraine had promised not to use new long-range missiles to strike inside of Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that the Ukrainians have given "assurances" that they will not use these systems against targets on Russian territory. Blinken added that there is a "strong trust bond" between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with allies and partners.&nbsp;</p>

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In a joint news conference with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (June 1) that Russia's war in Ukraine was expected to go on for "many months".

In a joint news conference with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (June 1) that Russia's war in Ukraine was expected to go on for "many months". Blinken said that as "best we can assess right now, we are still looking at many months of conflict". During the presser, he said, "That could be over tomorrow if Russia chose to end the aggression. We don't see any signs of that right now." "As long as this goes on, we want to make sure that Ukraine has in hand what it needs to defend itself and we want to make sure that Russia is feeling strong pressure from as many countries as possible to end the aggression," he added. IN PICS | Will HIMARS, the high precision missile system that US is sending to Ukraine, be a game-changer? He said this in context to the recent US arms supplies to war-torn Ukraine. The United States announced that it is sending advanced missile systems to Ukraine. The new weapon is the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. WATCH | EU’s partial ban on Russian oil: How will it affect Russia? × ALSO READ | Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan halts talks with Greece as tensions flare again The move has been criticised by Russia but Blinken said during the press conference that Ukraine had promised not to use new long-range missiles to strike inside of Russia. He said that the Ukrainians have given "assurances" that they will not use these systems against targets on Russian territory. Blinken added that there is a "strong trust bond" between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with allies and partners. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Antony Blinken expects 'many months' of Russia-Ukraine war

<p>US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's visit to Xinjiang.</p>

<p>Expressing concerns about a lack of independent assessment of the human rights environment in China, Blinken said he was ''troubled by reports that residents of Xinjiang were warned not to complain or speak openly about conditions in the region, (and) that no insight was provided into the whereabouts of hundreds of missing Uyghurs and conditions for over a million individuals in detention.''</p>

<p>"The High Commissioner should have been allowed confidential meetings with family members of Uyghur and other ethnic minority diaspora communities in Xinjiang who are not in detention facilities but are forbidden from travelling out of the region," he added.</p>

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<p>Calling it "a mistake to agree to a visit under the circumstances", State Department spokesman Ned Price said that China will use her trip as an endorsement of its rights record.</p>

<p>Bachelet's high profile and rare visit to Xinjiang was criticised by rights groups and Western countries as they believe it lacked transparency.</p>

<p>Urging Beijing to review its counter-terrorism policies to ensure they comply with international human rights standards, Bachelet sided with the dragon and reiterated that her six-day visit to Xinjiang was not an investigation into China's human rights policies but an opportunity to engage with the government.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UN High Commissioner Bachelet's visit to China's Xinjiang region provided an opportunity to observe and experience first-hand the real Xinjiang, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu briefs the media on Sat. <a href="https://t.co/4yG0mR8FjE">pic.twitter.com/4yG0mR8FjE</a></p>
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<p>During an online press briefing, she said "I have raised questions and concerns about the application of counter-terrorism and deradicalisation measures under broad application, particularly the impact on the rights of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities."</p>

<p>As warned by Washington earlier, Bachelet's access was limited as China arranged for her to travel in a "closed loop". With no foreign press present, China said it isolated people within a virtual bubble to prevent the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's visit to Xinjiang. Expressing concerns about a lack of independent assessment of the human rights environment in China, Blinken said he was ''troubled by reports that residents of Xinjiang were warned not to complain or speak openly about conditions in the region, (and) that no insight was provided into the whereabouts of hundreds of missing Uyghurs and conditions for over a million individuals in detention.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's visit to Xinjiang. Expressing concerns about a lack of independent assessment of the human rights environment in China, Blinken said he was ''troubled by reports that residents of Xinjiang were warned not to complain or speak openly about conditions in the region, (and) that no insight was provided into the whereabouts of hundreds of missing Uyghurs and conditions for over a million individuals in detention.'' "The High Commissioner should have been allowed confidential meetings with family members of Uyghur and other ethnic minority diaspora communities in Xinjiang who are not in detention facilities but are forbidden from travelling out of the region," he added. Calling it "a mistake to agree to a visit under the circumstances", State Department spokesman Ned Price said that China will use her trip as an endorsement of its rights record. Bachelet's high profile and rare visit to Xinjiang was criticised by rights groups and Western countries as they believe it lacked transparency. Urging Beijing to review its counter-terrorism policies to ensure they comply with international human rights standards, Bachelet sided with the dragon and reiterated that her six-day visit to Xinjiang was not an investigation into China's human rights policies but an opportunity to engage with the government. UN High Commissioner Bachelet's visit to China's Xinjiang region provided an opportunity to observe and experience first-hand the real Xinjiang, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu briefs the media on Sat. pic.twitter.com/4yG0mR8FjE — Global Times (@globaltimesnews) May 28, 2022 × During an online press briefing, she said "I have raised questions and concerns about the application of counter-terrorism and deradicalisation measures under broad application, particularly the impact on the rights of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities." As warned by Washington earlier, Bachelet's access was limited as China arranged for her to travel in a "closed loop". With no foreign press present, China said it isolated people within a virtual bubble to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US slams China's efforts to restrict and manipulate UN rights chief visit to Xinjiang

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a speech on the country's China strategy on Thursday, describing China as the most serious long-term challenge to the international order but stressed that US does not want a new Cold War.

US not seeking either conflict or a cold war with China, says Antony Blinken

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