US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that the United States will pay $200 million in WHO contribution by the end of February after reversing Donald Trump's plan to withdraw. Blinken said the US would also "provide significant financial support" to Covax, a global plan to distribute vaccines to the poorest nations.

Antony Blinken says US will pay $200 million in WHO contribution

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality within a region in which all countries are sovereign, independent and resilient, said the Australian government on Thursday in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade press release.&nbsp;

Adding further on the importance of the Quad, the statement said that Quad is a key pillar of Australia's international agenda and complements our other bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement, including with ASEAN.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-quad-meet-pentagon-says-relationship-with-india-a-priority-364484">Ahead of Quad meet, Pentagon says relationship with India a 'priority'</a>

As per the statement, later on Thursday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne will join her counterparts, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the third Quad foreign ministers' meeting.&nbsp;

This dialogue will allow our nations to advance our shared interests in a secure and prosperous region. The Quad's positive agenda will enable us to progress cooperation among four Indo-Pacific democracies across a range of areas, including to support the region recover from the economic and health impacts of Covid-19, read the release.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-ladakh-india-revamps-defence-strategy-364381">After Ladakh, India revamps defence strategy</a>

The third Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad meeting will be held on February 18 to exchange views on regional and global issues, especially practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

The meeting will be in continuation of the views exchanged in the last quad meeting held in Tokyo on October 6 last year. The Quad initiative is expected to put an end to the economic coercion tactics of China and cooperation with Japan and other allies will checkmate Chinese development assistance and its hegemony in the region.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality within a region in which all countries are sovereign, independent and resilient, said the Australian government on Thursday in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade press release.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality within a region in which all countries are sovereign, independent and resilient, said the Australian government on Thursday in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade press release. Adding further on the importance of the Quad, the statement said that Quad is a key pillar of Australia's international agenda and complements our other bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement, including with ASEAN. Also Read: Ahead of Quad meet, Pentagon says relationship with India a 'priority' As per the statement, later on Thursday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne will join her counterparts, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Japan Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the third Quad foreign ministers' meeting. This dialogue will allow our nations to advance our shared interests in a secure and prosperous region. The Quad's positive agenda will enable us to progress cooperation among four Indo-Pacific democracies across a range of areas, including to support the region recover from the economic and health impacts of Covid-19, read the release. Also Read: After Ladakh, India revamps defence strategy The third Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad meeting will be held on February 18 to exchange views on regional and global issues, especially practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The meeting will be in continuation of the views exchanged in the last quad meeting held in Tokyo on October 6 last year. The Quad initiative is expected to put an end to the economic coercion tactics of China and cooperation with Japan and other allies will checkmate Chinese development assistance and its hegemony in the region.

Quad partners are strong supporters of ASEAN centrality, says Australia

France said it will host talks Thursday between the top diplomats of European powers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on Iran, as they try to salvage a 2015 deal on Tehran's nuclear programme.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will meet his counterparts Heiko Maas of Germany and Dominic Raab of Britain in Paris, with Blinken joining via videoconference, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The European powers want to revive the nuclear deal that former President Donald Trump walked out of in 2018 but that the administration of Joe Biden has said it could rejoin if Tehran returns to compliance with the deal.

France said it will host talks Thursday between the top diplomats of European powers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on Iran, as they try to salvage a 2015 deal on Tehran's nuclear programme.

France said it will host talks Thursday between the top diplomats of European powers and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on Iran, as they try to salvage a 2015 deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will meet his counterparts Heiko Maas of Germany and Dominic Raab of Britain in Paris, with Blinken joining via videoconference, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday. The European powers want to revive the nuclear deal that former President Donald Trump walked out of in 2018 but that the administration of Joe Biden has said it could rejoin if Tehran returns to compliance with the deal.

France to hold talks with European powers and US on Iran

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. US State Department and Saudi state media said that the two ministers discussed the need ti find political solution to the war in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen 2015 and backed government forces against Houthi rebels. UN has called the subsequent war the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Saudi state media and the state department said the two ministers also discussed the need to find a political solution to the war in Yemen.

On Wednesday, the Houthis said that they carried out drone attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia.

Blinken and al Saud "discussed joint efforts to bolster Saudi defenses against attacks on the Kingdom," the State Department said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden last week named veteran U.S. diplomat Tim Lenderking as a U.S. special envoy to Yemen in a bid to step up American diplomacy to end the war.

The new administration in Washington has also announced an end to its support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen.

(With Reuters inputs)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. US State Department and Saudi state media said that the two ministers discussed the need ti find political solution to the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen 2015 and backed government forces against Houthi rebels. UN has called the subsequent war the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. Saudi state media and the state department said the two ministers also discussed the need to find a political solution to the war in Yemen. On Wednesday, the Houthis said that they carried out drone attack on Abha airport in Saudi Arabia. Blinken and al Saud "discussed joint efforts to bolster Saudi defenses against attacks on the Kingdom," the State Department said in a statement. U.S. President Joe Biden last week named veteran U.S. diplomat Tim Lenderking as a U.S. special envoy to Yemen in a bid to step up American diplomacy to end the war. The new administration in Washington has also announced an end to its support for Saudi-led military operations in Yemen. (With Reuters inputs)

Blinken speaks with Saudi foreign minister on Yemen war

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power".&nbsp;

"India is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI to reporters in his daily media briefing.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-eam-s-jaishankar-speaks-to-us-state-secretary-blinken-362555/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, where the two leaders reaffirmed the ties between both the countries and discussed mutual concerns, including the military coup in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/115-foreign-missions-send-3000-names-for-indias-covid-vaccination-drive-362377">115 foreign missions send 3000 names for India's COVID vaccination drive</a>

Blinken also talked about the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Myanmar.&nbsp;

"Both sides look forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change," the spokesperson said.

He also said that the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is both broad as well as multi-faceted.

"We'll continue to engage at the highest levels of our government to deepen cooperation on many fronts, and we are confident that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue," Price said.&nbsp;

The US also welcomed India again joining as the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council last month for a two-year term, he said.&nbsp;

Price also highlighted that India is the largest and the most important trading partner of the US with the bilateral trade spiking to USD 146 billion in 2019 and said that US companies are a large source of foreign direct investment in India.&nbsp;

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power".

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power". "India is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI to reporters in his daily media briefing. Watch | Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, where the two leaders reaffirmed the ties between both the countries and discussed mutual concerns, including the military coup in Myanmar. Also read | 115 foreign missions send 3000 names for India's COVID vaccination drive Blinken also talked about the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Myanmar. "Both sides look forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change," the spokesperson said. He also said that the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is both broad as well as multi-faceted. "We'll continue to engage at the highest levels of our government to deepen cooperation on many fronts, and we are confident that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue," Price said. The US also welcomed India again joining as the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council last month for a two-year term, he said. Price also highlighted that India is the largest and the most important trading partner of the US with the bilateral trade spiking to USD 146 billion in 2019 and said that US companies are a large source of foreign direct investment in India.

US welcomes India's rise as 'leading global power' as Jaishankar-Blinken talk over phone

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US State Secretary Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation, focusing on developments in the Indo-Pacific as well as cooperation under the framework of Quad.

Indian EAM S Jaishankar speaks to US State Secretary Blinken

Blinken told Yang that the United States “will continue to stand up for human rights and democratic values, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong,”

Antony Blinken presses China on Myanmar, Uighurs in first phone call

In the first conversation between top officials of the US and China since President Joe Biden took office, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Beijing on its treatment of Uighurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers.&nbsp;

About his call with senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi, Blinken said on Twitter, "I made clear the US will defend our national interests, stand up for our democratic values, and hold Beijing accountable for its abuses of the international system." &nbsp;

Blinken told Yang, the United States "will continue to stand up for human rights and democratic values, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.”&nbsp;

Blinken also "pressed China to join the international community in condemning the military coup in Burma," it said, using the former name of Myanmar.&nbsp;

The top US diplomat said the United States would hold Beijing "accountable for its efforts to threaten stability in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, and its undermining of the rules-based international system."&nbsp;

The tough tone comes after Blinken in his confirmation hearing said he would continue former president Donald Trump's approach to China in a rare point of agreement between the two administrations.&nbsp;

Blinken has said he agrees with a determination by the State Department under Trump that Beijing is carrying out genocide in the western region of Xinjiang, where rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people have been rounded up in camps.&nbsp;

Beijing has also ramped up a crackdown in Hong Kong, arresting leading activists, after imposing a new law against subversion following major protests in the financial hub to which it had guaranteed a separate system.&nbsp;

Biden nonetheless offered a small olive branch during a speech on foreign policy on Thursday, saying that while the United states will ‘confront' China, "We are ready to work with Beijing when it's in America's interest to do so."&nbsp;

Blinken has previously spoken of climate change as an area of cooperation as China and the United State are the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases.&nbsp;

Beijing has long enjoyed a privileged relationship with Myanmar, supporting the junta that gave way to democracy a decade ago with US support.&nbsp;

The military in the Southeast Asian nation this week carried out a coup, arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in what Chinese state media described as 'a major cabinet reshuffle’.&nbsp;

Biden, who has vowed to promote democracy worldwide after Trump's flirtations with autocratic leaders, strongly condemned the coup and threatened sanctions if the military did not relinquish power.&nbsp;

In the first conversation between top officials of the US and China since President Joe Biden took office, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Beijing on its treatment of Uighurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers.

In the first conversation between top officials of the US and China since President Joe Biden took office, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Beijing on its treatment of Uighurs, Tibetans and Hong Kongers. About his call with senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi, Blinken said on Twitter, "I made clear the US will defend our national interests, stand up for our democratic values, and hold Beijing accountable for its abuses of the international system." Blinken told Yang, the United States "will continue to stand up for human rights and democratic values, including in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong.” Blinken also "pressed China to join the international community in condemning the military coup in Burma," it said, using the former name of Myanmar. The top US diplomat said the United States would hold Beijing "accountable for its efforts to threaten stability in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, and its undermining of the rules-based international system." The tough tone comes after Blinken in his confirmation hearing said he would continue former president Donald Trump's approach to China in a rare point of agreement between the two administrations. Blinken has said he agrees with a determination by the State Department under Trump that Beijing is carrying out genocide in the western region of Xinjiang, where rights groups say more than one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim Turkic-speaking people have been rounded up in camps. Beijing has also ramped up a crackdown in Hong Kong, arresting leading activists, after imposing a new law against subversion following major protests in the financial hub to which it had guaranteed a separate system. Biden nonetheless offered a small olive branch during a speech on foreign policy on Thursday, saying that while the United states will ‘confront' China, "We are ready to work with Beijing when it's in America's interest to do so." Blinken has previously spoken of climate change as an area of cooperation as China and the United State are the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Beijing has long enjoyed a privileged relationship with Myanmar, supporting the junta that gave way to democracy a decade ago with US support. The military in the Southeast Asian nation this week carried out a coup, arresting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in what Chinese state media described as 'a major cabinet reshuffle’. Biden, who has vowed to promote democracy worldwide after Trump's flirtations with autocratic leaders, strongly condemned the coup and threatened sanctions if the military did not relinquish power.

Blinken warns China on Uighurs, Hong Kongers

India's EAM S. Jaishankar speaks with US State Secretary Antony Blinken to reaffirm growing US-India partnership and underscored the importance of working together.

India's EAM Jaishankar speaks to US' newly appointed State Secy Antony Blinken

Blinken vowed that the Biden administration would approach the world with both humility and confidence, saying we have a great deal of work to do at home to enhance our standing abroad.

Antony Blinken on his first day at job pledges to restore American leadership on world

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (January 27) that the United States is "deeply concerned" about detained Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and was considering actions in response to his detention in Russia.

Antony Blinken: US 'deeply concerned' about Navalny, willing to work with China on climate

From Antony Blinken to John Kerry - many of Biden's future cabinet members have a long history of working with India, and an understanding of Indian affairs. WION's Molly Gambhir brings you the details and also tells you how Biden's transition is finally begun.

Gravitas: Joe Biden's transition begins, finally

United States President-elect Joe Biden has announced his cabinet posts. Several members of Barack Obama administration have made a comeback as Biden shows his inner circle to lead his new team.

Biden Cabinet: Antony Blinken to become Secretary of State

India and the US face a common challenge in the form of an "increasingly assertive" China and New Delhi has to be a key partner in engaging with Beijing from a position of strength, believes long-time national security and foreign policy expert Antony Blinken, who could be President-elect Joe Biden's probable pick for the post of the Secretary of State. &nbsp;

Blinken made these comments during a community outreach programme with the Indian-Americans organised by the Biden campaign on the occasion of India's Independence Day on August 15. &nbsp;

He alleged that US President Donald Trump has helped China advance key strategic goals by weakening American alliances, leaving a vacuum in the world for China to fill, and abandoning American values and giving Beijing a green light to trample on democracy in Hong Kong. &nbsp;

"We have a common challenge which is to deal with an increasingly assertive China across the board, including its aggression toward India at the Line of Actual Control, but also using its economic might to coerce others and … to its advantage, ignoring international rules to advance its own interests, asserting unfounded maritime and territorial claims that threaten a freedom of navigation in some of the most important seas in the world," Blinken told the Indian-Americans during the virtual panel discussion on "US-India Relations and Indian Americans in Joe Biden Administration." &nbsp;

India and China are engaged in a bitter stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh since May. &nbsp;

Blinken, who then was the top foreign policy advisor to former vice president Biden, had also referred to the Chinese actions in Hong Kong as repression of the rights of its own people and democracy in the former British colony. &nbsp;

"We have to sort of take a step back and start by putting ourselves in a position of strength from which to engage China so that the relationship moves forward more on our terms, not theirs," Blinken had said. &nbsp;"India has to be a key partner in that effort," Blinken then said. &nbsp;

If Blinken is tapped by President-elect Biden and confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he would replace Mike Pompeo as the next Secretary of State.

"Unfortunately, right now by virtually every key metric. China's strategic position is stronger and ours is weaker as a result of President Trump's failed leadership," he said. &nbsp;More importantly, he alleged that Trump had undermined US democracy. &nbsp;

"In many ways, as we think about dealing with the challenges that China poses, it's almost less about their strength and more about some of our self-inflicted weaknesses," he said. &nbsp;

"Put another way, this is really about us in the first instance, the competitiveness of our own economy and workers.

"The strength of our own democracy and political system, the vibrancy of our own alliances and partnerships. And of course, the assertion of our own values, all of which President Trump has done so much to undermine," Blinken said. &nbsp;

Relations between Washington and Beijing have spiralled downward since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The two countries have also sparred over trade issues, a new national security law in Hong Kong, restrictions on American journalists, treatment of Uyghurs Muslims and security measures in Tibet. &nbsp;

Responding to a question from Richard Verma, the former US Ambassador to India, who was moderating the panel discussion, Blinken said that Biden as President would be investing "in ourselves renewing our democracy, working with our close partners like India, asserting our values, and so engaging China from a position of strength." &nbsp;

"During the Obama-Biden administration, we worked very hard to establish India as a key contributing member of the Indo-Pacific strategy. And that includes India's role in working with like minded partners to strengthen and uphold a rules-based order in the Indo Pacific, in which no country, including China can threaten its neighbours with impunity," Blinken said. &nbsp;

"That role needs to extend even beyond the region as vast as it is to the world at large. In a Biden administration we would be an advocate for India to play a leading role in international institutions and that includes helping India get a seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council," he said. &nbsp;

"We would work together to strengthen India's defence, and also add its capabilities as a counterterrorism partner," he added. &nbsp;

A Biden administration will also have no tolerance for terrorism in South Asia, he said in response to another question. &nbsp;

"On the question of terrorism, specifically, we have no tolerance for terrorism, in South Asia or anywhere else: cross border or otherwise," he said.

Asserting that Biden is a champion of the US-India relations, Blinken had said that the former vice president had a vision for the US-India relations. &nbsp;

Referring to a 2006 statement by Biden that by 2020, US and India should be closest friends, Blinken said that that has not happened yet, but Biden will make it a reality. &nbsp;

Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal was the other panelist at the event in August.

India and the US face a common challenge in the form of an "increasingly assertive" China and New Delhi has to be a key partner in engaging with Beijing from a position of strength, believes long-time national security and foreign policy expert Antony Blinken, who could be President-elect Joe Biden's probable pick for the post of the Secretary of State.

India and the US face a common challenge in the form of an "increasingly assertive" China and New Delhi has to be a key partner in engaging with Beijing from a position of strength, believes long-time national security and foreign policy expert Antony Blinken, who could be President-elect Joe Biden's probable pick for the post of the Secretary of State. Blinken made these comments during a community outreach programme with the Indian-Americans organised by the Biden campaign on the occasion of India's Independence Day on August 15. He alleged that US President Donald Trump has helped China advance key strategic goals by weakening American alliances, leaving a vacuum in the world for China to fill, and abandoning American values and giving Beijing a green light to trample on democracy in Hong Kong. "We have a common challenge which is to deal with an increasingly assertive China across the board, including its aggression toward India at the Line of Actual Control, but also using its economic might to coerce others and … to its advantage, ignoring international rules to advance its own interests, asserting unfounded maritime and territorial claims that threaten a freedom of navigation in some of the most important seas in the world," Blinken told the Indian-Americans during the virtual panel discussion on "US-India Relations and Indian Americans in Joe Biden Administration." India and China are engaged in a bitter stand-off on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh since May. Blinken, who then was the top foreign policy advisor to former vice president Biden, had also referred to the Chinese actions in Hong Kong as repression of the rights of its own people and democracy in the former British colony. "We have to sort of take a step back and start by putting ourselves in a position of strength from which to engage China so that the relationship moves forward more on our terms, not theirs," Blinken had said. "India has to be a key partner in that effort," Blinken then said. If Blinken is tapped by President-elect Biden and confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he would replace Mike Pompeo as the next Secretary of State. "Unfortunately, right now by virtually every key metric. China's strategic position is stronger and ours is weaker as a result of President Trump's failed leadership," he said. More importantly, he alleged that Trump had undermined US democracy. "In many ways, as we think about dealing with the challenges that China poses, it's almost less about their strength and more about some of our self-inflicted weaknesses," he said. "Put another way, this is really about us in the first instance, the competitiveness of our own economy and workers. "The strength of our own democracy and political system, the vibrancy of our own alliances and partnerships. And of course, the assertion of our own values, all of which President Trump has done so much to undermine," Blinken said. Relations between Washington and Beijing have spiralled downward since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. The two countries have also sparred over trade issues, a new national security law in Hong Kong, restrictions on American journalists, treatment of Uyghurs Muslims and security measures in Tibet. Responding to a question from Richard Verma, the former US Ambassador to India, who was moderating the panel discussion, Blinken said that Biden as President would be investing "in ourselves renewing our democracy, working with our close partners like India, asserting our values, and so engaging China from a position of strength." "During the Obama-Biden administration, we worked very hard to establish India as a key contributing member of the Indo-Pacific strategy. And that includes India's role in working with like minded partners to strengthen and uphold a rules-based order in the Indo Pacific, in which no country, including China can threaten its neighbours with impunity," Blinken said. "That role needs to extend even beyond the region as vast as it is to the world at large. In a Biden administration we would be an advocate for India to play a leading role in international institutions and that includes helping India get a seat on a reformed United Nations Security Council," he said. "We would work together to strengthen India's defence, and also add its capabilities as a counterterrorism partner," he added. A Biden administration will also have no tolerance for terrorism in South Asia, he said in response to another question. "On the question of terrorism, specifically, we have no tolerance for terrorism, in South Asia or anywhere else: cross border or otherwise," he said. Asserting that Biden is a champion of the US-India relations, Blinken had said that the former vice president had a vision for the US-India relations. Referring to a 2006 statement by Biden that by 2020, US and India should be closest friends, Blinken said that that has not happened yet, but Biden will make it a reality. Former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal was the other panelist at the event in August.

India has to be a key partner in engaging China from a position of strength: Antony Blinken

US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is all set to announce his&nbsp;cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the&nbsp;veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.

Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy&nbsp;national security adviser in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Obama</a> administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President.

A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace Mike Pompeo from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>'s cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections.</a>

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-to-name-his-cabinet-ministers-on-tuesday-344730">Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday</a>

Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as&nbsp;Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden.

Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in&nbsp;late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined&nbsp;President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides.

Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.

US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.

US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed. Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President. A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace Mike Pompeo from Donald Trump's cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held US elections. Also read| Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden. Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides. Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-Harris campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.

Joe Biden to name Antony Blinken as Secretary of State: Reports

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