Talks between the United States and China on the issue of arms control may not have yielded much, but they are still being hailed as constructive because these were the first such talks in years. The talks that took place in Washington on Monday (November 6) were the first since the Obama administration. Senior arms control diplomats from the US and China were present. Reuters quoted an unnamed US official who said just the fact that the meeting took place represented progress on the issue.

"Having the meeting was in and of itself constructive. Now, I would not refer to yesterday's meeting as substantive, though," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as reported by Reuters.

"'Substantive' implies more of a back-and-forth than occurred."

This meeting, and others between officials of the US and China are aimed at setting a positive tone as the date of possible talks between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping approaches. The two leaders may meet in San Francisco next week.

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The relations between the US and China are strained over a number of global and bilateral issues ranging from Taiwan, to trade and more.

The US is also worried about China expanding its nuclear arsenal. It is estimated by the Pentagon that China has about 500 warheads. Although this number remains below the number of nuclear warheads with the US and Russia, the risk of conflict remains.

Earlier this year, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned that Washington wanted from Beijing&nbsp;details of the size and scope of its nuclear forces, a readiness to provide notifications of missile launches and transparency when it comes to the expansion of its nuclear arsenal.

Top US leaders and official have voiced their displeasure about China not being willing to 'compartmentalise' arms control from disputes in other areas of the bilateral ties.

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The unnamed official quoted by Reuters said that a date for the next meeting was not decided.

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"I really ... hesitate to extrapolate from this one meeting" that China is willing to discuss arms control separate from other issues of disagreement.

"The Chinese delegation did not respond substantively" to issues Sullivan raised, including a US need for a better understanding of China's nuclear doctrine, budget, and policies, said the official.

"I wouldn't say we learned anything new from them or that they delved into a great amount of detail in terms of their own nuclear force, their buildup and whether or not their policy or doctrine could be shifting over time," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Talks between the United States and China on the issue of arms control may not have yielded much, but they are still being hailed as constructive because these were the first such talks in years.

Talks between the United States and China on the issue of arms control may not have yielded much, but they are still being hailed as constructive because these were the first such talks in years. The talks that took place in Washington on Monday (November 6) were the first since the Obama administration. Senior arms control diplomats from the US and China were present. Reuters quoted an unnamed US official who said just the fact that the meeting took place represented progress on the issue. "Having the meeting was in and of itself constructive. Now, I would not refer to yesterday's meeting as substantive, though," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as reported by Reuters. "'Substantive' implies more of a back-and-forth than occurred." This meeting, and others between officials of the US and China are aimed at setting a positive tone as the date of possible talks between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping approaches. The two leaders may meet in San Francisco next week. Gravitas | China: Daughter tells dad not to bring bad temper home from work × The relations between the US and China are strained over a number of global and bilateral issues ranging from Taiwan, to trade and more. The US is also worried about China expanding its nuclear arsenal. It is estimated by the Pentagon that China has about 500 warheads. Although this number remains below the number of nuclear warheads with the US and Russia, the risk of conflict remains. Earlier this year, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned that Washington wanted from Beijing details of the size and scope of its nuclear forces, a readiness to provide notifications of missile launches and transparency when it comes to the expansion of its nuclear arsenal. Top US leaders and official have voiced their displeasure about China not being willing to 'compartmentalise' arms control from disputes in other areas of the bilateral ties. Also Read | China detains two prominent businessmen, one of them is missing The unnamed official quoted by Reuters said that a date for the next meeting was not decided. Also Read | China faces persistent deflation challenges as economic fragility persists "I really ... hesitate to extrapolate from this one meeting" that China is willing to discuss arms control separate from other issues of disagreement. "The Chinese delegation did not respond substantively" to issues Sullivan raised, including a US need for a better understanding of China's nuclear doctrine, budget, and policies, said the official. "I wouldn't say we learned anything new from them or that they delved into a great amount of detail in terms of their own nuclear force, their buildup and whether or not their policy or doctrine could be shifting over time," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

US-China arms control talks yield little, but considered a step ahead

The Trump administration aims to reinterpret a Cold War-era arms agreement between 34 nations with the goal of allowing US defence contractors to sell more American-made drones to a wide array of nations.

The policy change, which has not been previously reported, could open up sales of armed US drones to less stable governments such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates that in the past have been forbidden from buying them under the 33-year-old Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), said the US official, a former US official and one of the executives. It could also undermine longstanding MTCR compliance from countries such as Russia, said the US official, who has direct knowledge of the policy shift.

Reinterpreting the MTCR is part of a broader Trump administration effort to sell more weapons overseas. It has overhauled a broad range of arms export regulations and removed the US from international arms treaties including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty.

Sidestepping the accord would allow US defence contractors General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc and Northrop Grumman Corp to break into new markets currently dominated by less sophisticated offerings from China and Israel, which do not participate in the MTCR.

It's being said the US military is eager to see drone sales expanded to more countries. Such sales would bolster the militaries of allies and replace drones sales from other nations.

The drones would help allies fight terrorism, establish border control and generally help stop threats before they reach the United States.

US agencies including the departments of Commerce, Energy, Justice and Homeland Security agreed to the change in May, and the State Department is expected to approve the first drone sales under the new interpretation as soon as this summer, said the US official and industry executives.

The change is scheduled for a review by the White House National Security Council at its June 16 meeting, said one of the executives and a former US official with knowledge of the internal policy discussions. The council is expected to support the policy change and discuss a possible White House announcement.

The Trump administration is pressing ahead with its revamp of drone export policy under pressure from American manufacturers and despite objections from human rights advocates, who warn of the risk of fueling instability in hot spots including the Middle East and South Asia.

Expanded sales of armed drones could increase global conflicts, said Rachel Stohl, a weapons expert at the Stimson Center in Washington, a think tank focused on security issues that opposes weapons proliferation.

Under the State Department's current interpretation of the MTCR, all sales of large drones are subject to what is known as a "strong presumption of denial," which has made approvals rare. But the high bar to get a deal greenlighted will be removed, signaling to previously forbidden customers that their orders have much better chance of approval, according to the official, the former official and one of the defense executives.

Until now, only England, France and Australia have been allowed to buy large, armed drones from US manufacturers, according to data collected by The Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College in New York state.

The US official and the former official said any country where US forces are operating drones in the counterterrorism fight, such as Kuwait, could be a potential customer for lethal drones

US drone manufacturers, face growing competition overseas especially from Chinese and Israeli rivals who have far fewer rules limiting sales.The defense contractors are vying for a larger share of the global military drone market, which the Teal Group, a market research firm, forecast annual sales, research and development will rise from $15.8 billion in 2020 to nearly $20 billion by 2029.

Bart Roper, Senior Vice President for Strategic Development at General Atomics, said the firm has been limited under current policy and that a liberalization of the rules could result in "hundreds" of new sales. Roper, who did not confirm the policy change, said there is strong interest from Middle East and Southeast Asian customers that have been forced to purchase aircraft from the Chinese because of a lack of US alternatives.

A Northrop Grumman spokesman added that increased drone exports would lead to closer work on the technology with allies, helping keep US drones state-of-the-art.

MISSILE PACT

The MTCR agreement -- originally signed in 1987 by the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Britain -- focusses on stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The pact has been credited with slowing or stopping missile programs in countries such as Egypt, Argentina and Iraq.&nbsp;

The MTCR policy shift has been under consideration by the Trump administration since 2017, but has been delayed several times as the United States has grappled with objections within the government and from other nations in the agreement.

The MTCR currently classifies such drones as cruise missiles - and therefore subject to high export restrictions - because of the technical specifications for unpiloted aircraft in the 1987 pact. Under the reinterpretation, the United States will treat these drones as if they belong in a lower category that falls outside MTCR jurisdiction.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The Trump administration aims to reinterpret a Cold War-era arms agreement between 34 nations with the goal of allowing US defence contractors to sell more American-made drones to a wide array of nations.

The Trump administration aims to reinterpret a Cold War-era arms agreement between 34 nations with the goal of allowing US defence contractors to sell more American-made drones to a wide array of nations. The policy change, which has not been previously reported, could open up sales of armed US drones to less stable governments such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates that in the past have been forbidden from buying them under the 33-year-old Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), said the US official, a former US official and one of the executives. It could also undermine longstanding MTCR compliance from countries such as Russia, said the US official, who has direct knowledge of the policy shift. Reinterpreting the MTCR is part of a broader Trump administration effort to sell more weapons overseas. It has overhauled a broad range of arms export regulations and removed the US from international arms treaties including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty. Sidestepping the accord would allow US defence contractors General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc and Northrop Grumman Corp to break into new markets currently dominated by less sophisticated offerings from China and Israel, which do not participate in the MTCR. It's being said the US military is eager to see drone sales expanded to more countries. Such sales would bolster the militaries of allies and replace drones sales from other nations. The drones would help allies fight terrorism, establish border control and generally help stop threats before they reach the United States. US agencies including the departments of Commerce, Energy, Justice and Homeland Security agreed to the change in May, and the State Department is expected to approve the first drone sales under the new interpretation as soon as this summer, said the US official and industry executives. The change is scheduled for a review by the White House National Security Council at its June 16 meeting, said one of the executives and a former US official with knowledge of the internal policy discussions. The council is expected to support the policy change and discuss a possible White House announcement. The Trump administration is pressing ahead with its revamp of drone export policy under pressure from American manufacturers and despite objections from human rights advocates, who warn of the risk of fueling instability in hot spots including the Middle East and South Asia. Expanded sales of armed drones could increase global conflicts, said Rachel Stohl, a weapons expert at the Stimson Center in Washington, a think tank focused on security issues that opposes weapons proliferation. Under the State Department's current interpretation of the MTCR, all sales of large drones are subject to what is known as a "strong presumption of denial," which has made approvals rare. But the high bar to get a deal greenlighted will be removed, signaling to previously forbidden customers that their orders have much better chance of approval, according to the official, the former official and one of the defense executives. Until now, only England, France and Australia have been allowed to buy large, armed drones from US manufacturers, according to data collected by The Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College in New York state. The US official and the former official said any country where US forces are operating drones in the counterterrorism fight, such as Kuwait, could be a potential customer for lethal drones US drone manufacturers, face growing competition overseas especially from Chinese and Israeli rivals who have far fewer rules limiting sales.The defense contractors are vying for a larger share of the global military drone market, which the Teal Group, a market research firm, forecast annual sales, research and development will rise from $15.8 billion in 2020 to nearly $20 billion by 2029. Bart Roper, Senior Vice President for Strategic Development at General Atomics, said the firm has been limited under current policy and that a liberalization of the rules could result in "hundreds" of new sales. Roper, who did not confirm the policy change, said there is strong interest from Middle East and Southeast Asian customers that have been forced to purchase aircraft from the Chinese because of a lack of US alternatives. A Northrop Grumman spokesman added that increased drone exports would lead to closer work on the technology with allies, helping keep US drones state-of-the-art. MISSILE PACT The MTCR agreement -- originally signed in 1987 by the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Britain -- focusses on stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The pact has been credited with slowing or stopping missile programs in countries such as Egypt, Argentina and Iraq. The MTCR policy shift has been under consideration by the Trump administration since 2017, but has been delayed several times as the United States has grappled with objections within the government and from other nations in the agreement. The MTCR currently classifies such drones as cruise missiles - and therefore subject to high export restrictions - because of the technical specifications for unpiloted aircraft in the 1987 pact. Under the reinterpretation, the United States will treat these drones as if they belong in a lower category that falls outside MTCR jurisdiction. (with inputs from Reuters)

Trump plans to sidestep another arms pact to sell more US drones

The international arms control system is facing collapse, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-exit-inf-treaty-in-six-months-in-response-to-us-pull-out-russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-195687">the United Nations chief said Monday</a>, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty.

"I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to the UN's Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/s400-missile-deal-with-russia-dominates-jim-mattis-nirmala-sitharaman-talks-181335">Secretary-General Antonio Guterres</a> used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half-century - arms control - was in "grave danger".

The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal.

"We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said.

"I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved."

The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe.

The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty.

The international arms control system is facing collapse, the United Nations chief said Monday, as he urged Russia and the US to stop the imminent demise of a crucial nuclear treaty. "I will be blunt. Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech to the UN's Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used an address to the UN's Conference on Disarmament to warn that one of the cornerstones of diplomatic achievement over the last half-century - arms control - was in "grave danger". The United States has already begun the process of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, in response to Moscow's deployment of the 9M729 missile, prompting Russia to announce its own withdrawal. "We simply cannot afford to return to the unrestrained nuclear competition of the darkest days of the Cold War," Guterres said. "I call on the parties to the INF Treaty to use the time remaining to engage in sincere dialogue on the various issues that have been raised," he added. "It is very important that this treaty be preserved." The collapse of the 1987 treaty, which banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, has sparked fears of a new arms race in Europe. The US withdrawal is not set to take effect until August, giving a six-month window to save the treaty, but few expect this to happen and NATO has warned the world should ready itself for the pact's scrapping.

Key components of international arms control architecture collapsing: UN chief Guterres

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