US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Sunday in Rome with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the State Department said, in only their second face to face session amid acute tensions between the two powers.

The meeting in Rome, where both diplomats were attending the G20 summit, is listed on Blinken's public schedule for Sunday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-chief-trade-negotiators-hold-candid-exchange-419381">US, China chief trade negotiators hold 'candid exchange'</a>

It will be the first between Blinken and Wang since a stormy session in Alaska back in March during which the Chinese delegation berated the American side as TV cameras rolled.

Tensions are high between the world's two biggest economies on a plethora of fronts, including trade, human rights, Taiwan and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week Washington ordered China Telecom Americas to discontinue its services within 60 days -- ending nearly two decades of operations in the country and piling further strain on relations between the two countries.

US President Joe Biden has pressed ahead with a hardline trade policy against Beijing broadly in line with that of his predecessor Donald Trump, whose bombastic approach sent tensions soaring.

Tensions have also soared over Taiwan in recent months.

China claims the self-governing, US-allied island as its own, and vows it will retake it one day -- by force if necessary.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-talk-to-turkeys-erdogan-over-threat-to-expel-western-nations-envoys-425469">Biden to talk to Turkey's Erdogan over threat to expel western nations' envoys</a>

Earlier this month Washington confirmed that a small number of US troops are on the island to help with training.

On Tuesday, Blinken called for Taiwan to be allowed greater involvement in UN agencies, though Beijing insisted it has no place on the world's diplomatic stage.

Biden has also rebuked Beijing over its sabre-rattling on Taiwan.&nbsp;

He said this month the US was ready to defend the island from a Chinese invasion -- though the White House quickly walked back those comments amid warnings from Beijing, continuing a strategy of ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Sunday in Rome with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the State Department said, in only their second face to face session amid acute tensions between the two powers.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Sunday in Rome with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the State Department said, in only their second face to face session amid acute tensions between the two powers. The meeting in Rome, where both diplomats were attending the G20 summit, is listed on Blinken's public schedule for Sunday. Also Read | US, China chief trade negotiators hold 'candid exchange' It will be the first between Blinken and Wang since a stormy session in Alaska back in March during which the Chinese delegation berated the American side as TV cameras rolled. Tensions are high between the world's two biggest economies on a plethora of fronts, including trade, human rights, Taiwan and the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week Washington ordered China Telecom Americas to discontinue its services within 60 days -- ending nearly two decades of operations in the country and piling further strain on relations between the two countries. US President Joe Biden has pressed ahead with a hardline trade policy against Beijing broadly in line with that of his predecessor Donald Trump, whose bombastic approach sent tensions soaring. Tensions have also soared over Taiwan in recent months. China claims the self-governing, US-allied island as its own, and vows it will retake it one day -- by force if necessary. Also Read | Biden to talk to Turkey's Erdogan over threat to expel western nations' envoys Earlier this month Washington confirmed that a small number of US troops are on the island to help with training. On Tuesday, Blinken called for Taiwan to be allowed greater involvement in UN agencies, though Beijing insisted it has no place on the world's diplomatic stage. Biden has also rebuked Beijing over its sabre-rattling on Taiwan. He said this month the US was ready to defend the island from a Chinese invasion -- though the White House quickly walked back those comments amid warnings from Beijing, continuing a strategy of ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily if China attacked.

Blinken to meet Chinese foreign minister in Rome: State Dept

Following a meeting in Washington with his Israeli and United Arab Emirates counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out a tougher U.S. Stance toward Tehran's new government. Washington has said that it is ready to consider "all options" if Iran is unwilling to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Israeli foreign minister warn Iran against nuclear weapons

Secretary of State Antony J&nbsp;Blinken recently announced sanctions against seven public officials in El Salvador and Guatemala, including five Salvadoran Supreme Court justices, putting them on the State Department’s official list of “Undemocratic and Corrupt Actors.” This round added to the more than 300 individuals the United States had already placed sanctions on in Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala and to U.S. diplomatic and financial sanctions on the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

While the US&nbsp;government has applied sanctions on nations and leaders around the world accused of human rights abuses and graft, in Latin America, sanctions have become one of the central pillars of US&nbsp;policy to defend democracy and combat corruption. All of these governments and individuals are probably worthy targets of sanctions, but to what end?

Sanctions can be an important diplomatic tool when applied in a calibrated fashion. But they are rarely accompanied by clear measures of their failure or success and criteria for their possible lifting.

The Treasury Department announced months ago that it was reviewing US&nbsp;sanctions’ effects on the well-being of people in the targeted countries. But the review, requested by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, has taken longer than expected and appears to focus on economywide sanctions and not the increasingly common tool of individual sanctions.

One opportunity to reassess and adjust sanctions is occurring in Mexico, as the Venezuelan government negotiates with its democratic opposition. While the Nicolás Maduro regime has said it would not agree to internationally supervised elections until sanctions on the state-owned oil company are lifted, the White House, along with Canada and the European Union, has signaled willingness to loosen some sanctions in exchange for reforms. What those reforms need to be, and which sanctions would be lifted, are not clear.

US&nbsp;sanctions have a long history in Latin America. Cuba is the most obvious example of how sanctions can be piled on, even if they clearly have failed to achieve anything. Originally established in 1962, the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba was codified into law by Congress in 1992 and again in 1996, all with the stated intent of improving human rights and overturning the Communist government. Almost 60 years later, not only does Cuba remain one of the most repressive societies in the world, but in 2018 President Raúl Castro passed the torch to a next generation, with the appointment of the Communist Party apparatchik Miguel Díaz-Canel.

On the campaign trail in 2020, Joe Biden promised to revisit U.S. policy toward Cuba. But rather than seeking a way to scale back President Donald Trump’s restrictions on travel and remittances to the island, after the Cuban government’s crackdown on mostly peaceful demonstrators in July, the Biden White House imposed its own sanctions on four members of the Cuban government and on the national police. It was another ineffective move, since the existing sanctions had failed to prevent the original crackdown.

Central America has also shown how impotent US&nbsp;economic punishments can be. In response to a crackdown against democratic activists by President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, the Trump and Biden administrations have imposed sanctions on more than 100 public officials, including Mr. Ortega and his wife and the vice president, Rosario Murillo. Despite these punishments and the suspension of US&nbsp;development support, seven of Nicaragua’s potential opposition candidates for the Nov. 7 presidential elections are in jail or under house arrest and over 100 political prisoners remain behind bars.

Before Mr. Blinken’s most recent additions, this year the White House had already placed sanctions against more than 55 Central Americans determined to have engaged in corruption. Beyond the risk of just adding more and more people to the list of reprobates ad infinitum under individual sanctions, the economic repercussions of financials sanctions, according to Tufts professor Daniel Drezner, “are likely to trigger repression, corruption and backsliding on human development indicators.”

Over the past decade Venezuela has become the target of the some of the most stringent US&nbsp;coercive measures, starting with a raft of sanctions against individuals under President Barack Obama’s administration. The Trump administration expanded the sanctions prohibiting transactions with Venezuela’s state-owned oil and gas companies after the widely questioned 2018 re-election of Mr. Maduro. By 2017 the US&nbsp;government had put sanctions on over 160 Venezuelans for reasons ranging from narcotics trafficking, corruption, ties to terrorists and human rights abuses. The apparent goal in this cascade of sanctions was to topple Mr. Maduro and put his main opponent, Juan Guaidó, in office.

With Mr. Maduro’s government engaged in its fifth attempt at negotiations with the opposition, the Biden administration has the opportunity to demonstrate a new commitment to use sanctions as a carrot rather than a stick — not just for Venezuela, but for the region.

Before the two sides conclude the current negotiations in Mexico, the White House needs to be clear what specific reforms will lead to the lifting of which specific sanctions. The compromise must include Venezuela’s release of 340 or so political prisoners, the delivery of international humanitarian assistance of food and medicines through independent organizations without government interference, and free and fair voting in the Nov. 21 regional and municipal elections. In return, the US&nbsp;government should agree to lift export restrictions on goods and equipment Venezuela needs to process oil, generate electricity and provide diesel for public transport. To minimize the risk that the oil revenue would boost Mr. Maduro’s corrupt state and his cronies, the United States would need to insist that the bulk of the revenue pay for food imports and critical public services to alleviate the suffering of poor Venezuelans.

But beyond any immediate refinement of Venezuelan sanctions, the White House, Congress and experts in the field need to conduct a public bipartisan review of America’s ever-growing sanctions regime to assess the humanitarian impact and evaluate how well the nation’s goals are furthered by such punitive policies, even as Treasury pursues its assessment.

Such an evaluation should establish other diplomatic tools to lay out concrete, realistic steps toward calibrated relief of sanctions (regime change does not count), diplomatic channels to negotiate through third parties, financial incentives through development aid or assurances to private investors to induce change, and coordinating with other sanction-applying entities in these diplomatic efforts.

Slapping sanctions on corrupt, human rights-abusing regimes and individuals may make diplomats and elected officials feel good. But as this becomes an increasingly central part of US&nbsp;policy in Latin America, we need to understand when they aren’t doing their job and be willing to adjust.

Secretary of State Antony J Blinken recently announced sanctions against seven public officials in El Salvador and Guatemala, including five Salvadoran Supreme Court justices, putting them on the State Department’s official list of “Undemocratic and Corrupt Actors.

Secretary of State Antony J Blinken recently announced sanctions against seven public officials in El Salvador and Guatemala, including five Salvadoran Supreme Court justices, putting them on the State Department’s official list of “Undemocratic and Corrupt Actors.” This round added to the more than 300 individuals the United States had already placed sanctions on in Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala and to U.S. diplomatic and financial sanctions on the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. While the US government has applied sanctions on nations and leaders around the world accused of human rights abuses and graft, in Latin America, sanctions have become one of the central pillars of US policy to defend democracy and combat corruption. All of these governments and individuals are probably worthy targets of sanctions, but to what end? Sanctions can be an important diplomatic tool when applied in a calibrated fashion. But they are rarely accompanied by clear measures of their failure or success and criteria for their possible lifting. The Treasury Department announced months ago that it was reviewing US sanctions’ effects on the well-being of people in the targeted countries. But the review, requested by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, has taken longer than expected and appears to focus on economywide sanctions and not the increasingly common tool of individual sanctions. One opportunity to reassess and adjust sanctions is occurring in Mexico, as the Venezuelan government negotiates with its democratic opposition. While the Nicolás Maduro regime has said it would not agree to internationally supervised elections until sanctions on the state-owned oil company are lifted, the White House, along with Canada and the European Union, has signaled willingness to loosen some sanctions in exchange for reforms. What those reforms need to be, and which sanctions would be lifted, are not clear. US sanctions have a long history in Latin America. Cuba is the most obvious example of how sanctions can be piled on, even if they clearly have failed to achieve anything. Originally established in 1962, the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba was codified into law by Congress in 1992 and again in 1996, all with the stated intent of improving human rights and overturning the Communist government. Almost 60 years later, not only does Cuba remain one of the most repressive societies in the world, but in 2018 President Raúl Castro passed the torch to a next generation, with the appointment of the Communist Party apparatchik Miguel Díaz-Canel. On the campaign trail in 2020, Joe Biden promised to revisit U.S. policy toward Cuba. But rather than seeking a way to scale back President Donald Trump’s restrictions on travel and remittances to the island, after the Cuban government’s crackdown on mostly peaceful demonstrators in July, the Biden White House imposed its own sanctions on four members of the Cuban government and on the national police. It was another ineffective move, since the existing sanctions had failed to prevent the original crackdown. Central America has also shown how impotent US economic punishments can be. In response to a crackdown against democratic activists by President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, the Trump and Biden administrations have imposed sanctions on more than 100 public officials, including Mr. Ortega and his wife and the vice president, Rosario Murillo. Despite these punishments and the suspension of US development support, seven of Nicaragua’s potential opposition candidates for the Nov. 7 presidential elections are in jail or under house arrest and over 100 political prisoners remain behind bars. Before Mr. Blinken’s most recent additions, this year the White House had already placed sanctions against more than 55 Central Americans determined to have engaged in corruption. Beyond the risk of just adding more and more people to the list of reprobates ad infinitum under individual sanctions, the economic repercussions of financials sanctions, according to Tufts professor Daniel Drezner, “are likely to trigger repression, corruption and backsliding on human development indicators.” Over the past decade Venezuela has become the target of the some of the most stringent US coercive measures, starting with a raft of sanctions against individuals under President Barack Obama’s administration. The Trump administration expanded the sanctions prohibiting transactions with Venezuela’s state-owned oil and gas companies after the widely questioned 2018 re-election of Mr. Maduro. By 2017 the US government had put sanctions on over 160 Venezuelans for reasons ranging from narcotics trafficking, corruption, ties to terrorists and human rights abuses. The apparent goal in this cascade of sanctions was to topple Mr. Maduro and put his main opponent, Juan Guaidó, in office. With Mr. Maduro’s government engaged in its fifth attempt at negotiations with the opposition, the Biden administration has the opportunity to demonstrate a new commitment to use sanctions as a carrot rather than a stick — not just for Venezuela, but for the region. Before the two sides conclude the current negotiations in Mexico, the White House needs to be clear what specific reforms will lead to the lifting of which specific sanctions. The compromise must include Venezuela’s release of 340 or so political prisoners, the delivery of international humanitarian assistance of food and medicines through independent organizations without government interference, and free and fair voting in the Nov. 21 regional and municipal elections. In return, the US government should agree to lift export restrictions on goods and equipment Venezuela needs to process oil, generate electricity and provide diesel for public transport. To minimize the risk that the oil revenue would boost Mr. Maduro’s corrupt state and his cronies, the United States would need to insist that the bulk of the revenue pay for food imports and critical public services to alleviate the suffering of poor Venezuelans. But beyond any immediate refinement of Venezuelan sanctions, the White House, Congress and experts in the field need to conduct a public bipartisan review of America’s ever-growing sanctions regime to assess the humanitarian impact and evaluate how well the nation’s goals are furthered by such punitive policies, even as Treasury pursues its assessment. Such an evaluation should establish other diplomatic tools to lay out concrete, realistic steps toward calibrated relief of sanctions (regime change does not count), diplomatic channels to negotiate through third parties, financial incentives through development aid or assurances to private investors to induce change, and coordinating with other sanction-applying entities in these diplomatic efforts. Slapping sanctions on corrupt, human rights-abusing regimes and individuals may make diplomats and elected officials feel good. But as this becomes an increasingly central part of US policy in Latin America, we need to understand when they aren’t doing their job and be willing to adjust.

The US needs a sanctions policy that works

The reception could hardly have been warmer when Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared in France’s ornate foreign ministry building on a late June day alongside his French counterpart.

Blinken delighted his audience by beginning his remarks in fluent French, which a local interviewer would later brand “absolutely perfect,” and reminiscing about the more than 10 years he spent living in Paris. He joked about how he binge-watches French television shows such as “Le Bureau des Légendes” (“The Bureau”) and “Dix Pour Cent” (“Call My Agent!”).

Paris, he concluded, is “my second home.”

But Blinken will make an awkward return there this week, when he arrives for a long-scheduled meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a trip that will conveniently double as a chance to further soothe French anger over a minor diplomatic crisis that erupted last month over Australia’s submarine purchase.

French officials found themselves blindsided when the news leaked in the Australian media that the United States and Britain were going to help Australia deploy a new fleet of nuclear submarines, replacing a $66 billion contract Australia had signed with a French contractor for a dozen attack submarines.

US&nbsp;and Australian officials say that deal was already on the rocks, partly because France’s diesel submarines have a shorter range and are more easily detectable than the nuclear ones that America and Britain can provide.

Despite that explanation, officials in Paris fumed about backstabbing and betrayal. French President Emmanuel Macron even recalled the country's ambassador to the United States from Washington for several days.

The anger has already subsided. US&nbsp;President Joe Biden placed a contrite call to Macron last month; Blinken has conceded that the United States could have handled the matter more gracefully; and the French ambassador is already back in Washington.

But the diplomatic row hit Blinken especially hard, according to people familiar with his reaction, given his deep attachment to France. Blinken’s mother still lives in Paris, and hosted a dinner in his honor during his June visit there. He also retains an emotional investment in the ups and downs of France’s national soccer team.

His arrival at the State Department’s Foggy Bottom headquarters was greeted in France with elation, and taken as assurance that Paris would be first among equals as the Biden administration vowed to rebuild Western European alliances corroded under President Donald Trump.

The reception could hardly have been warmer when Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared in France’s ornate foreign ministry building on a late June day alongside his French counterpart.

The reception could hardly have been warmer when Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared in France’s ornate foreign ministry building on a late June day alongside his French counterpart. Blinken delighted his audience by beginning his remarks in fluent French, which a local interviewer would later brand “absolutely perfect,” and reminiscing about the more than 10 years he spent living in Paris. He joked about how he binge-watches French television shows such as “Le Bureau des Légendes” (“The Bureau”) and “Dix Pour Cent” (“Call My Agent!”). Paris, he concluded, is “my second home.” But Blinken will make an awkward return there this week, when he arrives for a long-scheduled meeting of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a trip that will conveniently double as a chance to further soothe French anger over a minor diplomatic crisis that erupted last month over Australia’s submarine purchase. French officials found themselves blindsided when the news leaked in the Australian media that the United States and Britain were going to help Australia deploy a new fleet of nuclear submarines, replacing a $66 billion contract Australia had signed with a French contractor for a dozen attack submarines. US and Australian officials say that deal was already on the rocks, partly because France’s diesel submarines have a shorter range and are more easily detectable than the nuclear ones that America and Britain can provide. Despite that explanation, officials in Paris fumed about backstabbing and betrayal. French President Emmanuel Macron even recalled the country's ambassador to the United States from Washington for several days. The anger has already subsided. US President Joe Biden placed a contrite call to Macron last month; Blinken has conceded that the United States could have handled the matter more gracefully; and the French ambassador is already back in Washington. But the diplomatic row hit Blinken especially hard, according to people familiar with his reaction, given his deep attachment to France. Blinken’s mother still lives in Paris, and hosted a dinner in his honor during his June visit there. He also retains an emotional investment in the ups and downs of France’s national soccer team. His arrival at the State Department’s Foggy Bottom headquarters was greeted in France with elation, and taken as assurance that Paris would be first among equals as the Biden administration vowed to rebuild Western European alliances corroded under President Donald Trump.

Blinken faces an awkward visit to Paris, his ‘second home’

After claiming that the U.S. will reassess its ties with Pakistan, Blinken hosted Pak FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi to work on the future of Afghanistan. Palki Sharma asks: Why is America speaking in two voices?

Gravitas US Edition: Blinken-Qureshi meet: Diplomacy or Duplicity?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken&nbsp;held talks with Pakistan&nbsp;over Afghanistan on the sidelines of UN General Assembly on Thursday. He said he believed the world was united on pressing the Taliban.

Blinken met his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Pakistan is the key ally of Taliban regime. Blinken also held talks with ministers of four other veto-wielding Security Council members including China and Russia.

"I think there is very strong unity of approach and unity of purpose," Blinken told reporters.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/new-taliban-guidelines-stir-fear-about-the-future-of-press-freedom-41537">New Taliban guidelines stir fear about the future of press freedom</a>

US State Department said that Bliken highlighted "the importance of coordinating our diplomatic engagement" in talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Pakistan has been speaking in favour of engagement with Taliban and unfreezing of Afghan assets. However, Qureshi has said that&nbsp;there was no rush to recognise a new Taliban government, a step opposed by Western nations.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-says-executions-will-return-in-afghanistan-415399">Taliban leader says executions will return in Afghanistan</a>

Qureshi, opening his meeting with Blinken, said, "We have to find a way of collectively working to achieve our common objective, which is peace and stability."

China and Russia have both moved to engage with the Taliban but have also stopped short of recognition and have longstanding concerns about Islamic extremism.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-taliban-sacks-v-c-around-70-teaching-staff-of-kabul-university-resign-415340">After Taliban sacks V-C, around 70 teaching staff of Kabul University resign</a>

The Taliban swept through Afghanistan last month after President Joe Biden withdrew US troops, saying there was no point in extending America's longest war beyond 20 years.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Pakistan over Afghanistan on the sidelines of UN General Assembly on Thursday. He said he believed the world was united on pressing the Taliban.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Pakistan over Afghanistan on the sidelines of UN General Assembly on Thursday. He said he believed the world was united on pressing the Taliban. Blinken met his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Pakistan is the key ally of Taliban regime. Blinken also held talks with ministers of four other veto-wielding Security Council members including China and Russia. "I think there is very strong unity of approach and unity of purpose," Blinken told reporters. Also Read | New Taliban guidelines stir fear about the future of press freedom US State Department said that Bliken highlighted "the importance of coordinating our diplomatic engagement" in talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Pakistan has been speaking in favour of engagement with Taliban and unfreezing of Afghan assets. However, Qureshi has said that there was no rush to recognise a new Taliban government, a step opposed by Western nations. Also Read | Taliban leader says executions will return in Afghanistan Qureshi, opening his meeting with Blinken, said, "We have to find a way of collectively working to achieve our common objective, which is peace and stability." China and Russia have both moved to engage with the Taliban but have also stopped short of recognition and have longstanding concerns about Islamic extremism. Also Read | After Taliban sacks V-C, around 70 teaching staff of Kabul University resign The Taliban swept through Afghanistan last month after President Joe Biden withdrew US troops, saying there was no point in extending America's longest war beyond 20 years. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken speaks to Pak foreign minister Qureshi; Afghanistan on agenda

The US appeared to be in damage control mode as it called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. France is angry over US-UK-Australia submarine deal. In other news, US medicale experts will vote on Pfizer Covid boosters. Check out what's happening this morning

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/damage-control-mode-blinken-calls-france-vital-partner-in-indo-pacific-413653">Damage control mode: Blinken calls angry France a vital partner in Indo-Pacific</a>

Blinken claimed that US has been informing France about US-UK-Australia submarine deal. But this was refuted from French circles

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-medical-experts-to-vote-on-pfizer-covid-19-boosters-413651">US medical experts to vote on Pfizer COVID-19 boosters</a>

President Joe Biden's administration announced in August a plan to roll out third shots to everyone, not just the immune compromised already able to receive them, starting from September 20

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-bolsonaro-going-to-un-meet-despite-being-unvaccinated-413650">Brazil's Bolsonaro going to UN meet despite being unvaccinated</a> 
 
"Next week I will be at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), where I will give an opening speech" on Tuesday, the president said during a social media broadcast

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The US appeared to be in damage control mode as it called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. France is angry over US-UK-Australia submarine deal. In other news, US medicale experts will vote on Pfizer Covid boosters.

The US appeared to be in damage control mode as it called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. France is angry over US-UK-Australia submarine deal. In other news, US medicale experts will vote on Pfizer Covid boosters. Check out what's happening this morning Damage control mode: Blinken calls angry France a vital partner in Indo-Pacific Blinken claimed that US has been informing France about US-UK-Australia submarine deal. But this was refuted from French circles US medical experts to vote on Pfizer COVID-19 boosters President Joe Biden's administration announced in August a plan to roll out third shots to everyone, not just the immune compromised already able to receive them, starting from September 20 Brazil's Bolsonaro going to UN meet despite being unvaccinated "Next week I will be at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), where I will give an opening speech" on Tuesday, the president said during a social media broadcast ×

Morning news brief: US does damage control, unvaccinated Bolsonaro and UN meet, more

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appeared to be in a damage control mode as he called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. His words have come after the US-UK-Australia submarine deal. France had reacted angrily to the deal

Blinken was speaking at a press conference after meeting US and Australian foreign and defense ministers

"We cooperate incredibly closely with France on many shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific but also beyond around the world. We're going to continue to do so. We place fundamental value on that relationship, on that partnership," Blinken said.

UK-US and Australia said on Wednesday that they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that would help Australia acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines and see it scrap a $40 billion French-designed submarine deal.

France reacted angrily to the loss of the deal, calling it a "stab in the back."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-says-biden-acted-like-trump-to-sink-australia-defence-deal-413622">France says Biden acted like Trump to sink Australia defence deal</a>

At the press conference, Blinken said that US officials had been in touch with their French counterparts to discuss the deal including before the announcement.

However, Reuters quoted a French official on condition of anonymity that Americans had not informed them until French officials had seen media reports about the deal.

In 2016, Australia selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines.

The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea.

The White House on Thursday defended the US decision, rejecting criticism from both China and France over the deal.

"We do not seek conflict with China," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

China said the United States, Australia and the UK were "severely damaging regional peace and stability."

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appeared to be in a damage control mode as he called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. His words have come after the US-UK-Australia submarine deal.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday appeared to be in a damage control mode as he called France a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific. His words have come after the US-UK-Australia submarine deal. France had reacted angrily to the deal Blinken was speaking at a press conference after meeting US and Australian foreign and defense ministers "We cooperate incredibly closely with France on many shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific but also beyond around the world. We're going to continue to do so. We place fundamental value on that relationship, on that partnership," Blinken said. UK-US and Australia said on Wednesday that they would establish a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that would help Australia acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines and see it scrap a $40 billion French-designed submarine deal. France reacted angrily to the loss of the deal, calling it a "stab in the back." Also Read | France says Biden acted like Trump to sink Australia defence deal At the press conference, Blinken said that US officials had been in touch with their French counterparts to discuss the deal including before the announcement. However, Reuters quoted a French official on condition of anonymity that Americans had not informed them until French officials had seen media reports about the deal. In 2016, Australia selected French shipbuilder Naval Group to build a new submarine fleet worth $40 billion to replace its more than two-decades-old Collins submarines. The United States and its allies are looking for ways to push back against China’s growing power and influence, particularly its military buildup, pressure on Taiwan and deployments in the contested South China Sea. The White House on Thursday defended the US decision, rejecting criticism from both China and France over the deal. "We do not seek conflict with China," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. China said the United States, Australia and the UK were "severely damaging regional peace and stability." (With inputs from agencies)

Damage control mode: Blinken calls angry France a vital partner in Indo-Pacific

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took down a tweet in which he declared the US would "stand with the people of Hong Kong," accusing Beijing of undermining the city's long-term political stability.

He sent the statement after seven opposition district councillors in Hong Kong were disqualified this week after officials declared their oaths to be invalid.&nbsp;

On September 16, Blinken tweeted his disapproval in a direct manner. 
 
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On the same day, US State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted the same message, which was also deleted.

A day later, Blinken sent a more moderate tweet, removing the US offer to stand with Hong Kong residents and the obvious exhortation to Beijing to listen to the voices of all Hong Kong residents.&nbsp;

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The PRC’s disqualification of seven pro-democracy district councilors undermines the ability of people in Hong Kong to participate in their governance. Governments should serve the people they represent. Decreasing representation goes against the spirit of Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1438615977680322563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took down a tweet in which he declared the US would "stand with the people of Hong Kong," accusing Beijing of undermining the city's long-term political stability.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took down a tweet in which he declared the US would "stand with the people of Hong Kong," accusing Beijing of undermining the city's long-term political stability. He sent the statement after seven opposition district councillors in Hong Kong were disqualified this week after officials declared their oaths to be invalid. On September 16, Blinken tweeted his disapproval in a direct manner. On the same day, US State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted the same message, which was also deleted. A day later, Blinken sent a more moderate tweet, removing the US offer to stand with Hong Kong residents and the obvious exhortation to Beijing to listen to the voices of all Hong Kong residents. The PRC’s disqualification of seven pro-democracy district councilors undermines the ability of people in Hong Kong to participate in their governance. Governments should serve the people they represent. Decreasing representation goes against the spirit of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 16, 2021 × (With inputs from agencies)

'US would stand with people of Hong Kong', tweets Blinken; later deletes it

U.S. Secretary of State, Blinken has said that Washington will 'reassess' its relationship with Pakistan, in light of its involvement in Afghanistan. Palki Sharma gets you the key highlights from his testimony.

Gravitas: The Blinken Testimony: Key highlights

US secretary of state, Antony Blinken while testifying in front of the US foreign affairs committee&nbsp;on the hasty American pull-out from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-killing-civilians-in-panjshir-valley-says-report-412897">Afghanistan</a>&nbsp;said that the US will be reassessing its ties with Pakistan.

Blinken noted that Pakistan had harboured members of the Taliban before including terrorists from the Haqqani Network. The Taliban has appointed Siajuddin Haqqani as the group's interior minister in the new Afghanistan government.

Blinken told lawmakers that the US planned to reassess its relationship with Pakistan in the coming weeks and the role played by Islamabad over the last 20 years and the role that it would like it to play in the future.

Watch:

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"We are going to be looking at the role that Pakistan has played over the last 20 years and also the role that we would want to see it playing in the coming years," Blinken said. 
&nbsp; 
The US secretary of state added that Pakistan had a multiplicity of interests including some which were in clear conflict with the US.

Blinken's comments come after Pakistan's intelligence chief visited Kabul as the Taliban announced its new government.

"What we have to look at is an insistence that every country, to include Pakistan, make good on the expectations that the international community has of what is required of a Taliban-led government if it is&nbsp;to receive any legitimacy of any kind or any support," Blinken told the US lawmakers.

Blinken said Pakistan was "hedging its bets constantly about the future of Afghanistan" while adding, "It's&nbsp;one that's involved harbouring members of the Taliban, including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terrorist-vs-terrorist-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-claims-credit-for-911-islamic-state-asks-if-he-is-still-alive-412505">Haqqanis</a>,"&nbsp;

"So Pakistan needs to line up with a broad majority of the international community in working toward those ends and in upholding those expectations," the US secretary of state added.

(With inputs from agencies)

US secretary of state, Antony Blinken while testifying in front of the US foreign affairs committee on the hasty American pull-out from Afghanistan said that the US will be reassessing its ties with Pakistan.

US secretary of state, Antony Blinken while testifying in front of the US foreign affairs committee on the hasty American pull-out from Afghanistan said that the US will be reassessing its ties with Pakistan. Blinken noted that Pakistan had harboured members of the Taliban before including terrorists from the Haqqani Network. The Taliban has appointed Siajuddin Haqqani as the group's interior minister in the new Afghanistan government. Blinken told lawmakers that the US planned to reassess its relationship with Pakistan in the coming weeks and the role played by Islamabad over the last 20 years and the role that it would like it to play in the future. Watch: "We are going to be looking at the role that Pakistan has played over the last 20 years and also the role that we would want to see it playing in the coming years," Blinken said. The US secretary of state added that Pakistan had a multiplicity of interests including some which were in clear conflict with the US. Blinken's comments come after Pakistan's intelligence chief visited Kabul as the Taliban announced its new government. "What we have to look at is an insistence that every country, to include Pakistan, make good on the expectations that the international community has of what is required of a Taliban-led government if it is to receive any legitimacy of any kind or any support," Blinken told the US lawmakers. Blinken said Pakistan was "hedging its bets constantly about the future of Afghanistan" while adding, "It's one that's involved harbouring members of the Taliban, including the Haqqanis," "So Pakistan needs to line up with a broad majority of the international community in working toward those ends and in upholding those expectations," the US secretary of state added. (With inputs from agencies)

Will reassess ties with Pakistan, says Blinken to US lawmakers

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country.

After his visit to Qatar, Blinken will head to US airbase of Ramstein in Germany. Thousands of Afghans moving to United States have been temporarily housed at the air base. Blinken will hold a a virtual 20-nation ministerial meeting on the crisis alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

Blinken said that in Qatar he will "express our deep gratitude for all that they're doing to support the evacuation effort" and meet rescued Afghans as well as US diplomats, who have relocated functions from the shuttered embassy in Kabul to Doha.

He will also speak to the Qataris about efforts alongside Turkey to reopen Kabul's ramshackle airport -- a pressing priority that is necessary for flying in badly needed humanitarian aid and evacuating remaining Afghans.

The Taliban have promised that they will keep letting Afghans leave if they want to -- one of the key issues that US allies expect to discuss in the talks in Germany.

The US says it will monitor the Taliban's follow-up on commitments

But US officials said that Blinken does not plan to meet the Taliban, who have also made Doha their diplomatic base from which they negotiated the US pullout with the previous administration of Donald Trump.

"On the scope of high-level engagement with the Taliban, I would put that sort of in the recognition category to be considered or to be determined as we see what happens with their efforts to govern," said Dean Thompson, the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday headed to Qatar. This is his first trip since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Qatar is a major US military base and has been a gateway for 55,000 people airlifted out of Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover of the country. After his visit to Qatar, Blinken will head to US airbase of Ramstein in Germany. Thousands of Afghans moving to United States have been temporarily housed at the air base. Blinken will hold a a virtual 20-nation ministerial meeting on the crisis alongside German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Blinken said that in Qatar he will "express our deep gratitude for all that they're doing to support the evacuation effort" and meet rescued Afghans as well as US diplomats, who have relocated functions from the shuttered embassy in Kabul to Doha. He will also speak to the Qataris about efforts alongside Turkey to reopen Kabul's ramshackle airport -- a pressing priority that is necessary for flying in badly needed humanitarian aid and evacuating remaining Afghans. The Taliban have promised that they will keep letting Afghans leave if they want to -- one of the key issues that US allies expect to discuss in the talks in Germany. The US says it will monitor the Taliban's follow-up on commitments But US officials said that Blinken does not plan to meet the Taliban, who have also made Doha their diplomatic base from which they negotiated the US pullout with the previous administration of Donald Trump. "On the scope of high-level engagement with the Taliban, I would put that sort of in the recognition category to be considered or to be determined as we see what happens with their efforts to govern," said Dean Thompson, the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken heads to Qatar amid unfolding Afghan situation

As the deadline of withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan draws near,&nbsp;US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has announced that the Taliban will allow a safe passage even after August 31.

"The Taliban have made commitments to us...and we have leverage to hold them to those commitment," Sullivan claimed.

However, he also announced that the US will not have a physical presence in Afghanistan from September, but the US will consider "more strikes, other operations" against the ISIS-K — the terrorist group which attacked the Kabul airport a week ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-loud-explosion-heard-in-kabul-as-us-official-admits-military-strike-carried-out-in-same-area-409224">Afghanistan: Loud explosion heard in Kabul as US official admits military strike carried out in same area</a>

"The US is capable of suppressing the terrorism threat in Afghanistan without a permanent military presence on the ground," Sullivan said.

Sullivan's assurance has come as the&nbsp;US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that only 300 American citizens are left to be evacuated from Afghanistan now.

"We have about 300 American citizens left, who have indicated to us that they want to leave. We are very actively working to help them get to the airport, get on a plane and get out of Afghanistan," he told ABC.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-visits-us-air-base-to-pay-tribute-to-service-personnel-killed-in-kabul-409232">Biden visits US air base to pay tribute to service personnel killed in Kabul</a>

The issue of Taliban providing a safe passage to US citizens after August 31 deadline came as some American citizens have decided to stay back in Afghanistan for now. Assuring that these American citizens "are not going to be stuck in Afghanistan", Blinken assured that the US government has&nbsp;"a mechanism to get them out."

This announcement by the US officials have come as another loud explosion was heard across the Kabul city. After the explosion, smoke was seen rising from the residential area of the Khwaja Bugra area in PD15 — an area that is few kilometres away from the north gate of Kabul airport.

Meanwhile, US President&nbsp;Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden paid respects to the 13 members of the US troops who were killed in the deadly Kabul airport attack that took place last week.&nbsp;

As the deadline of withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan draws near, US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has announced that the Taliban will allow a safe passage even after August 31.

As the deadline of withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan draws near, US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has announced that the Taliban will allow a safe passage even after August 31. "The Taliban have made commitments to us...and we have leverage to hold them to those commitment," Sullivan claimed. However, he also announced that the US will not have a physical presence in Afghanistan from September, but the US will consider "more strikes, other operations" against the ISIS-K — the terrorist group which attacked the Kabul airport a week ago. Also read | Afghanistan: Loud explosion heard in Kabul as US official admits military strike carried out in same area "The US is capable of suppressing the terrorism threat in Afghanistan without a permanent military presence on the ground," Sullivan said. Sullivan's assurance has come as the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that only 300 American citizens are left to be evacuated from Afghanistan now. "We have about 300 American citizens left, who have indicated to us that they want to leave. We are very actively working to help them get to the airport, get on a plane and get out of Afghanistan," he told ABC. Also read | Biden visits US air base to pay tribute to service personnel killed in Kabul The issue of Taliban providing a safe passage to US citizens after August 31 deadline came as some American citizens have decided to stay back in Afghanistan for now. Assuring that these American citizens "are not going to be stuck in Afghanistan", Blinken assured that the US government has "a mechanism to get them out." This announcement by the US officials have come as another loud explosion was heard across the Kabul city. After the explosion, smoke was seen rising from the residential area of the Khwaja Bugra area in PD15 — an area that is few kilometres away from the north gate of Kabul airport. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden paid respects to the 13 members of the US troops who were killed in the deadly Kabul airport attack that took place last week.

Blinken says only 300 Americans left to evacuate; Sullivan assures Taliban to provide safe passage after August 31

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing.

“Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday.

However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-asks-lithuanias-envoy-to-leave-beijing-over-taiwan-row-404881">Also read |&nbsp;China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row</a>

In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.”

The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult.

Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing.

However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision.

“While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement.

The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country. US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing. “Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday. However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”. Also read | China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.” The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult. Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing. However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision. “While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

US, Lithuania agree on ‘bilateral coordination action’ against China over Taiwan row

The United States will only recognise a future government in Afghanistan if it upholds basic rights of its people and keeps terrorists out of the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday. &nbsp;

On being asked to comment over media reports that China was ready to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate government, the top US diplomat said, “A government that doesn’t uphold the basic rights of its people, including women and girls; that harbours terrorist groups that have designs on the United States or allies and partners — certainly, that’s not going to happen.”&nbsp;

He appearing on US television channels on Sunday to comment over the developments in Afghanistan. The secretary of state warned that international assistance to a Taliban-led government in Kabul “will not be forthcoming, sanctions will not be lifted and their ability to travel won’t happen.” &nbsp;

When the interviewer implied that his statement sounds like a no to recognition, the diplomat said, “It’s incumbent on the international community, including the United States, to do everything we can using every tool that we have — economic, diplomatic, political — to ensure (those) rights are sustained.”&nbsp;

Blinken was also reminded by the&nbsp;interviewer&nbsp;that in a recent statement, US President Joe Biden insisted that the Kabul government would not fall, and asked him how he could “get this so wrong.”&nbsp;

The United States will only recognise a future government in Afghanistan if it upholds basic rights of its people and keeps terrorists out of the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday.

The United States will only recognise a future government in Afghanistan if it upholds basic rights of its people and keeps terrorists out of the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday. On being asked to comment over media reports that China was ready to recognise the Taliban as a legitimate government, the top US diplomat said, “A government that doesn’t uphold the basic rights of its people, including women and girls; that harbours terrorist groups that have designs on the United States or allies and partners — certainly, that’s not going to happen.” He appearing on US television channels on Sunday to comment over the developments in Afghanistan. The secretary of state warned that international assistance to a Taliban-led government in Kabul “will not be forthcoming, sanctions will not be lifted and their ability to travel won’t happen.” When the interviewer implied that his statement sounds like a no to recognition, the diplomat said, “It’s incumbent on the international community, including the United States, to do everything we can using every tool that we have — economic, diplomatic, political — to ensure (those) rights are sustained.” Blinken was also reminded by the interviewer that in a recent statement, US President Joe Biden insisted that the Kabul government would not fall, and asked him how he could “get this so wrong.”

US to recognise a future Afghan govt only if it upholds basic rights: Blinken 

Top US diplomat in Delhi, Atul Keshap, on Tuesday, met the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ngodup Dongchung, in Delhi. During the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Atul extended support for the preservation of "Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities".

In a tweet, he said, "Enjoyed meeting with Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The US supports religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities and respects the @DalaiLama’s vision of equal rights for all people.

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Enjoyed meeting with Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The U.S. supports the religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities, and respects the <a href="https://twitter.com/DalaiLama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DalaiLama</a>’s vision for the equal rights of all people. <a href="https://t.co/zQoiMGAbLy">pic.twitter.com/zQoiMGAbLy</a>
— CdA Amb Atul Keshap (@USAmbIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbIndia/status/1425087418424778754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The meeting comes even as the US has increased its engagement with the Tibetan leadership in exile while pointing to increased human rights violations by the Chinese communist party in Tibet and Xinjiang.&nbsp;

"The meeting happened this morning. It was about getting a better understanding of the Tibetan issue, especially with freedom of religious rights and what is happening inside Tibet. For better understanding, " Tenzin Lekshay, Spokesperson for the Tibet Govt in exile, told WION.

The Atul-Ngodup meeting lasted for one hour. The meeting comes days after US Secretary of State Blinken had met him during his one-day Delhi visit. During the visit, Blinken also met members of civil society, which included Geshe Dorjee Damdul, Director of Tibet House, the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The picture was tweeted from the US Secretary of State's Twitter handle as well.

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I was pleased to meet civil society leaders today. The U.S. and India share a commitment to democratic values; this is part of the bedrock of our relationship and reflective of India’s pluralistic society and history of harmony. Civil society helps advance these values. <a href="https://t.co/5NL2WiQ13o">pic.twitter.com/5NL2WiQ13o</a>
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1420252756590448640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In an interview with WION later, Dorji expresses concern about the Chinese Communist Party. He said, "communist Chinese (Chinese communist party) CCP is very unpredictable and can not be trusted. What can happen to the world? We never know."

Geshe Dorjee Damdul is considered close to the 14th Dalai Lama &amp; has accompanied him on various visits &amp; acted as his interpreter. In November, the White House invited Lobsang Sangay, the then President of the Tibetan Govt in Exile.

Top US diplomat in Delhi, Atul Keshap, on Tuesday, met the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ngodup Dongchung, in Delhi. During the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Atul extended support for the preservation of "Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities".

Top US diplomat in Delhi, Atul Keshap, on Tuesday, met the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ngodup Dongchung, in Delhi. During the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Atul extended support for the preservation of "Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities". In a tweet, he said, "Enjoyed meeting with Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The US supports religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities and respects the @DalaiLama’s vision of equal rights for all people. Enjoyed meeting with Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The U.S. supports the religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetans' unique cultural and linguistic identities, and respects the @DalaiLama’s vision for the equal rights of all people. pic.twitter.com/zQoiMGAbLy — CdA Amb Atul Keshap (@USAmbIndia) August 10, 2021 × The meeting comes even as the US has increased its engagement with the Tibetan leadership in exile while pointing to increased human rights violations by the Chinese communist party in Tibet and Xinjiang. "The meeting happened this morning. It was about getting a better understanding of the Tibetan issue, especially with freedom of religious rights and what is happening inside Tibet. For better understanding, " Tenzin Lekshay, Spokesperson for the Tibet Govt in exile, told WION. The Atul-Ngodup meeting lasted for one hour. The meeting comes days after US Secretary of State Blinken had met him during his one-day Delhi visit. During the visit, Blinken also met members of civil society, which included Geshe Dorjee Damdul, Director of Tibet House, the Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The picture was tweeted from the US Secretary of State's Twitter handle as well. I was pleased to meet civil society leaders today. The U.S. and India share a commitment to democratic values; this is part of the bedrock of our relationship and reflective of India’s pluralistic society and history of harmony. Civil society helps advance these values. pic.twitter.com/5NL2WiQ13o — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 28, 2021 × In an interview with WION later, Dorji expresses concern about the Chinese Communist Party. He said, "communist Chinese (Chinese communist party) CCP is very unpredictable and can not be trusted. What can happen to the world? We never know." Geshe Dorjee Damdul is considered close to the 14th Dalai Lama & has accompanied him on various visits & acted as his interpreter. In November, the White House invited Lobsang Sangay, the then President of the Tibetan Govt in Exile.

Top US diplomat in Delhi meets Dalai Lama representative Ngodup, days after Blinken meet

External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar will take part in the India-ASEAN foreign ministers meet virtually on Wednesday.

Brunei will be the host of the meeting. The meeting will see the focus on COVID-19&nbsp;cooperation and&nbsp;connectivity as the top priority.&nbsp;The meet is part of the annual mechanism and the group has a similar mechanism with the US, Australia, Russia, Canada and&nbsp;New Zealand.&nbsp;

A number of engagements take place&nbsp;between ASEAN and India annually including at the leaders level. Earlier this year the 23rd ASEAN-India senior officials meeting had taken place and was co-chaired by Secretary (East) of the external affairs ministry Riva Ganguly Das and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and SOM Leader of Thailand Thani Thongphakdi.

Wednesday will also see the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ meeting which includes 10 ASEAN nations and eight&nbsp;other countries - China, Japan, Korea, Australia, India, Russia, New Zealand&nbsp;and the US.

The meeting will focus&nbsp;on regional political-security issues in the lead-up to the East Asia Summit in late October. The meeting will see India's Jaishankar, Russia's Lavrov, China's Wang Yi, and US Secretary of state Blinken together talking&nbsp;virtually.

Meanwhile, the US has invited India for the "Friends of the Mekong Ministerial Meeting" this year which will be co-chaired by US secretary of state Blinken on Thursday.

India has been invited along with the UK as an"observer". The meeting brings together the five lower Mekong countries and partners and institutions like World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and&nbsp;Australia.

The Mekong River Commission Secretariat will also be participating for the first time. It’s the first Friends of the Mekong minister-level meeting since 2014.

India also has its own platform to engage with countries of the Mekong region - the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC). It includes India along with Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos&nbsp;and Vietnam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Last month a ministerial meet of the group took place during which India's quick impact projects were lauded. Since its inception in 2015, 38 projects have been completed while 30 other projects are under implementation.

"For India, the Mekong region is of great importance. India seeks multi-dimensional engagement with the Mekong countries. We need to broaden the base of our partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation", EAM said at the meet virtually.&nbsp;

It has been 20 years since the Mekong Ganga Cooperation(MGC) came into existence. The last ministerial meeting of the MGC took place in Bangkok.

External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar will take part in the India-ASEAN foreign ministers meet virtually on Wednesday. Brunei will be the host of the meeting.

External affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar will take part in the India-ASEAN foreign ministers meet virtually on Wednesday. Brunei will be the host of the meeting. The meeting will see the focus on COVID-19 cooperation and connectivity as the top priority. The meet is part of the annual mechanism and the group has a similar mechanism with the US, Australia, Russia, Canada and New Zealand. A number of engagements take place between ASEAN and India annually including at the leaders level. Earlier this year the 23rd ASEAN-India senior officials meeting had taken place and was co-chaired by Secretary (East) of the external affairs ministry Riva Ganguly Das and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and SOM Leader of Thailand Thani Thongphakdi. Wednesday will also see the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ meeting which includes 10 ASEAN nations and eight other countries - China, Japan, Korea, Australia, India, Russia, New Zealand and the US. The meeting will focus on regional political-security issues in the lead-up to the East Asia Summit in late October. The meeting will see India's Jaishankar, Russia's Lavrov, China's Wang Yi, and US Secretary of state Blinken together talking virtually. Meanwhile, the US has invited India for the "Friends of the Mekong Ministerial Meeting" this year which will be co-chaired by US secretary of state Blinken on Thursday. India has been invited along with the UK as an"observer". The meeting brings together the five lower Mekong countries and partners and institutions like World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The Mekong River Commission Secretariat will also be participating for the first time. It’s the first Friends of the Mekong minister-level meeting since 2014. India also has its own platform to engage with countries of the Mekong region - the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC). It includes India along with Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Last month a ministerial meet of the group took place during which India's quick impact projects were lauded. Since its inception in 2015, 38 projects have been completed while 30 other projects are under implementation. "For India, the Mekong region is of great importance. India seeks multi-dimensional engagement with the Mekong countries. We need to broaden the base of our partnership by identifying newer areas of cooperation", EAM said at the meet virtually. It has been 20 years since the Mekong Ganga Cooperation(MGC) came into existence. The last ministerial meeting of the MGC took place in Bangkok.

Act East: India, ASEAN FMs meet on Wednesday; US invites New Delhi for Mekong ministerial meeting

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will be in Delhi on July 27&nbsp;and 28&nbsp;with the key focus on Afghanistan, Quad&nbsp;and the Indo-Pacific.

It&nbsp;is his first visit to India after taking charge&nbsp;and he is the second&nbsp;Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year. Earlier this year, United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.) Lloyd J. Austin had visited India.

According to the ministry of external affairs and US State department releases, he will be calling on PM Modi and hold talks with National Security Advisor(NSA)&nbsp;Ajit Doval and external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

MEA in its release said Blinken's visit is an "opportunity to continue the high-level bilateral dialogue and bolster the India-US global strategic partnership" with both sides reviewing the "robust and multifaceted India-US bilateral relations, and potential for consolidating them further."

It&nbsp;will be the fourth meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken. Both had met three&nbsp;times previously - first on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meet in London, then during EAM's bilateral visit to the US, and finally,&nbsp;on the sidelines of the G20 FMs meet in Italy.

US State Department said, during his Delhi visit he will discuss "a wide range of issues including continued cooperation on COVID-19 response efforts, Indo-Pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values&nbsp;and addressing climate crisis."

His visit is important also because PM Modi could travel to Washington later this year for the first Quad in-person meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Quad members India, US, Australia, and Japan&nbsp;held the first virtual meet earlier this year&nbsp;with the key outcome on the COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine initiative.&nbsp;

From Delhi, Blinken will also go to Kuwait.&nbsp;WION was the first channel to break the story about Blinken's visit to India earlier this week.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will be in Delhi on July 27 and 28 with the key focus on Afghanistan, Quad and the Indo-Pacific. It is his first visit to India after taking charge and he is the second Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year.

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will be in Delhi on July 27 and 28 with the key focus on Afghanistan, Quad and the Indo-Pacific. It is his first visit to India after taking charge and he is the second Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year. Earlier this year, United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.) Lloyd J. Austin had visited India. According to the ministry of external affairs and US State department releases, he will be calling on PM Modi and hold talks with National Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Doval and external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar. MEA in its release said Blinken's visit is an "opportunity to continue the high-level bilateral dialogue and bolster the India-US global strategic partnership" with both sides reviewing the "robust and multifaceted India-US bilateral relations, and potential for consolidating them further." It will be the fourth meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken. Both had met three times previously - first on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meet in London, then during EAM's bilateral visit to the US, and finally, on the sidelines of the G20 FMs meet in Italy. US State Department said, during his Delhi visit he will discuss "a wide range of issues including continued cooperation on COVID-19 response efforts, Indo-Pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values and addressing climate crisis." His visit is important also because PM Modi could travel to Washington later this year for the first Quad in-person meeting. Quad members India, US, Australia, and Japan held the first virtual meet earlier this year with the key outcome on the COVID-19 vaccine initiative. From Delhi, Blinken will also go to Kuwait. WION was the first channel to break the story about Blinken's visit to India earlier this week.

US secretary of state Blinken in Delhi on July 27

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit India next week, becoming the second Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year.&nbsp;United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.) Lloyd J. Austin visited New Delhi earlier this year and held talks with his counterpart and called on top Indian leadership including PM Modi.&nbsp;

Blinken will hold talks with India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. Both Blinken, Jaishankar have met each other three&nbsp;times previously - first on the sidelines of the G7 foreign minister meet in London, then during EAM's bilateral visit to the US, and then&nbsp;on the sidelines of the G20 FMs meet in Italy.&nbsp;

The visit is expected to&nbsp;focus&nbsp;on the current situation in Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific, Quad. Biden administration is keen to host Quad (the grouping of&nbsp;India, US, Australia, and Japan) in-person leadership meet later this year. Indian PM Modi, depending on the current Covid situation will visit Washington.&nbsp;

But undoubtedly, the situation in Afghanistan remains a worry as&nbsp;Taliban makes territorial gains. Both sides have been in touch on the issue. In fact, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had met Dy NSA Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and US Spl Representative on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad last week in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the connectivity summit.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit India next week, becoming the second Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year. United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit India next week, becoming the second Biden administration official to visit Delhi this year. United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.) Lloyd J. Austin visited New Delhi earlier this year and held talks with his counterpart and called on top Indian leadership including PM Modi. Blinken will hold talks with India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. Both Blinken, Jaishankar have met each other three times previously - first on the sidelines of the G7 foreign minister meet in London, then during EAM's bilateral visit to the US, and then on the sidelines of the G20 FMs meet in Italy. The visit is expected to focus on the current situation in Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific, Quad. Biden administration is keen to host Quad (the grouping of India, US, Australia, and Japan) in-person leadership meet later this year. Indian PM Modi, depending on the current Covid situation will visit Washington. But undoubtedly, the situation in Afghanistan remains a worry as Taliban makes territorial gains. Both sides have been in touch on the issue. In fact, India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had met Dy NSA Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall and US Spl Representative on Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad last week in Uzbekistan on the sidelines of the connectivity summit.

US Secretary of State Blinken to visit India next week

The United States has "deep concerns" about the military coup in Myanmar and called on Southeast Asian nations to take action to end violence and restore democracy in the country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. 
 
The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) has been leading the main diplomatic effort on member country Myanmar since a February&nbsp;1 coup plunged it into turmoil. 
 
During a video conference with ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday, Blinken urged ASEAN to take "immediate action" on a five-point consensus, agreed upon in April, to appoint a special envoy to Myanmar, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. 
 
Myanmar has descended into chaos after the coup, with hundreds of protesters killed by security forces and thousands jailed amid paralysing strikes and spreading conflict in border regions. 
 
Blinken asked for the release of all those "unjustly detained" in the country, and the restoration of Myanmar`s democratic transition, Price said. 
 
Blinken also emphasised the US&nbsp;rejection of China's "unlawful maritime claims" in the South China Sea and said Washington "stands with Southeast Asian claimants in the face of (Chinese) coercion", Price said.

The United States has "deep concerns" about the military coup in Myanmar and called on Southeast Asian nations to take action to end violence and restore democracy in the country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

The United States has "deep concerns" about the military coup in Myanmar and called on Southeast Asian nations to take action to end violence and restore democracy in the country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) has been leading the main diplomatic effort on member country Myanmar since a February 1 coup plunged it into turmoil. During a video conference with ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday, Blinken urged ASEAN to take "immediate action" on a five-point consensus, agreed upon in April, to appoint a special envoy to Myanmar, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. Myanmar has descended into chaos after the coup, with hundreds of protesters killed by security forces and thousands jailed amid paralysing strikes and spreading conflict in border regions. Blinken asked for the release of all those "unjustly detained" in the country, and the restoration of Myanmar`s democratic transition, Price said. Blinken also emphasised the US rejection of China's "unlawful maritime claims" in the South China Sea and said Washington "stands with Southeast Asian claimants in the face of (Chinese) coercion", Price said.

Blinken calls on Southeast Asian nations to take action on Myanmar

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, stressing the need for all parties to commit to an immediate and indefinite ceasefire in the northern Tigray region, the State Department said. 
 
The conflict in Tigray has killed thousands of people, displaced more than two million and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine, with international pressure building on both sides to end hostilities. 
 
The Ethiopian government declared a unilateral ceasefire last week after its troops pulled out of the Tigray capital of Mekelle in what it called a strategic withdrawal. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) dismissed that truce as a joke and said it had driven the government out of the city. 
 
"That unilateral announcement needs to be followed up with concrete changes on the ground to end the conflict, to stop the atrocities and importantly, to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters at a regular news briefing. 
 
Blinken also called for Abiy to commit to steps outlined by the UN Security Council last week, including the withdrawal of both Eritrean and Amhara forces from Tigray and the establishment of a process to hold those responsible for human rights abuses and atrocities accountable, Price said in a statement. 
 
Abiy's government has been battling the TPLF since early November, when it accused the then-governing party of Tigray of attacking military bases across the region. The TPLF has denied the charges. 
 
The commander of rebel forces in Tigray on Tuesday called for a negotiated ceasefire with the Ethiopian government and a political solution to the conflict, saying the government could not win the war. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, stressing the need for all parties to commit to an immediate and indefinite ceasefire in the northern Tigray region, the State Department said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, stressing the need for all parties to commit to an immediate and indefinite ceasefire in the northern Tigray region, the State Department said. The conflict in Tigray has killed thousands of people, displaced more than two million and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine, with international pressure building on both sides to end hostilities. The Ethiopian government declared a unilateral ceasefire last week after its troops pulled out of the Tigray capital of Mekelle in what it called a strategic withdrawal. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) dismissed that truce as a joke and said it had driven the government out of the city. "That unilateral announcement needs to be followed up with concrete changes on the ground to end the conflict, to stop the atrocities and importantly, to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters at a regular news briefing. Blinken also called for Abiy to commit to steps outlined by the UN Security Council last week, including the withdrawal of both Eritrean and Amhara forces from Tigray and the establishment of a process to hold those responsible for human rights abuses and atrocities accountable, Price said in a statement. Abiy's government has been battling the TPLF since early November, when it accused the then-governing party of Tigray of attacking military bases across the region. The TPLF has denied the charges. The commander of rebel forces in Tigray on Tuesday called for a negotiated ceasefire with the Ethiopian government and a political solution to the conflict, saying the government could not win the war. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken calls for indefinite ceasefire in call with Ethiopia's Abiy

US secretary of state Antony Blinken&nbsp;said that he hoped the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-air-strikes-a-violation-of-sovereignty-iraq-prime-minister-394490">US strikes </a>on Iran-backed militants will "be heard and deter future action" while urging countries including allies&nbsp;to bring back citizens arrested overseas for joining the Islamic State group.

The Pentagon had said earlier that US aircraft had hit three targets - two in Syria and one in Iraq - even as Iraq Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemil-Kadhemi said it was "a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi national security".

Watch:

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The US military said at least seven fighters were killed in overnight attacks as Binkin said, "A number of the groups involved in recent attacks are militia that are backed by Iran."

It was the second time the US has conducted airstrikes under Biden's administrations this year.&nbsp;

The Pentagon defended the strikes saying President Joe Biden is determined to protect US personnel as Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh accused the United States of disrupting security in the region.

"I would hope that the message sent by the strikes last night will be heard and deter future action," Blinken said.

The US reportedly targeted Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militant outfits which are allegedly backed by Iran.

Meanwhile, Blinken urged allies to repatriate Islamic State fighters during a discussion in Rome, saying, "The United States continues to urge countries -&nbsp;including coalition partners -- to repatriate, rehabilitate and, where applicable, prosecute their citizens."&nbsp;

Several thousand Islamic State(IS) fighters are believed to be held in northern Syria by Kurdish forces. "This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely," Blinken asserted.

Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio however said that countries shouldn't lower their guard and look to step up action "not just in the Middle East but Africa", a statement which was backed by German foreign minister Heiko Maas.

The US secretary of state-designated Ousmane Illiassou Djibo, a Niger-born IS terrorist based in Mali, as a "specially designated global terrorist".&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said that he hoped the US strikes on Iran-backed militants will "be heard and deter future action" while urging countries including allies to bring back citizens arrested overseas for joining the Islamic State group.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said that he hoped the US strikes on Iran-backed militants will "be heard and deter future action" while urging countries including allies to bring back citizens arrested overseas for joining the Islamic State group. The Pentagon had said earlier that US aircraft had hit three targets - two in Syria and one in Iraq - even as Iraq Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemil-Kadhemi said it was "a blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and Iraqi national security". Watch: The US military said at least seven fighters were killed in overnight attacks as Binkin said, "A number of the groups involved in recent attacks are militia that are backed by Iran." It was the second time the US has conducted airstrikes under Biden's administrations this year. The Pentagon defended the strikes saying President Joe Biden is determined to protect US personnel as Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh accused the United States of disrupting security in the region. "I would hope that the message sent by the strikes last night will be heard and deter future action," Blinken said. The US reportedly targeted Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militant outfits which are allegedly backed by Iran. Meanwhile, Blinken urged allies to repatriate Islamic State fighters during a discussion in Rome, saying, "The United States continues to urge countries - including coalition partners -- to repatriate, rehabilitate and, where applicable, prosecute their citizens." Several thousand Islamic State(IS) fighters are believed to be held in northern Syria by Kurdish forces. "This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely," Blinken asserted. Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio however said that countries shouldn't lower their guard and look to step up action "not just in the Middle East but Africa", a statement which was backed by German foreign minister Heiko Maas. The US secretary of state-designated Ousmane Illiassou Djibo, a Niger-born IS terrorist based in Mali, as a "specially designated global terrorist". (With inputs from Agencies)

Blinken asserts US strikes 'will be heard and deter future action'

The United States hopes for more stable and profitable relations with Russia but if the latter continues to 'attack', then Washington will respond, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday. 
 
"If Russia continues to attack us, or to act as it did with the SolarWind attacks, the intrusions into our elections and the aggression against Navalny, then we will respond," he told Italian daily La Repubblica. 
 
Blinken, who was in Rome for a meeting on international efforts to combat Islamist militia, was referring to cyberattacks and the role of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-us-to-start-black-sea-military-drills-despite-russian-protest-394463">Ukraine, US to start Black Sea military drills despite Russian protest</a> 
 
Earlier this month, US&nbsp;President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Geneva that certain critical infrastructure should be 'off-limits' to cyberattacks. 
 
China was 'the most complicated'&nbsp;when it came to relations, Blinken added, but said the United States respected the different relations countries had with China and that it would not ask any of them to choose between the two countries, a Reuters report said. 
 
"It is, however, true that when we deal with China, as an opponent, a rival or a partner, we are much more effective if we act together," he added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-test-fires-new-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-report-394503">Russia test-fires new intercontinental ballistic missile: Report</a> 
 
Blinken also said that Italy had made important efforts in drafting legislation aimed at protecting its 5G network from 'unreliable sellers' and that it should continue to carry out checks should investments from other countries arrive. 
 
The United States has lobbied Italy and other European allies to avoid using equipment made by Huawei in their next- generation networks, saying the Chinese company could pose a security risk. Huawei has rejected the accusations. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States hopes for more stable and profitable relations with Russia but if the latter continues to 'attack', then Washington will respond, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.

The United States hopes for more stable and profitable relations with Russia but if the latter continues to 'attack', then Washington will respond, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday. "If Russia continues to attack us, or to act as it did with the SolarWind attacks, the intrusions into our elections and the aggression against Navalny, then we will respond," he told Italian daily La Repubblica. Blinken, who was in Rome for a meeting on international efforts to combat Islamist militia, was referring to cyberattacks and the role of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Also Read: Ukraine, US to start Black Sea military drills despite Russian protest Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden told Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Geneva that certain critical infrastructure should be 'off-limits' to cyberattacks. China was 'the most complicated' when it came to relations, Blinken added, but said the United States respected the different relations countries had with China and that it would not ask any of them to choose between the two countries, a Reuters report said. "It is, however, true that when we deal with China, as an opponent, a rival or a partner, we are much more effective if we act together," he added. Also Read: Russia test-fires new intercontinental ballistic missile: Report Blinken also said that Italy had made important efforts in drafting legislation aimed at protecting its 5G network from 'unreliable sellers' and that it should continue to carry out checks should investments from other countries arrive. The United States has lobbied Italy and other European allies to avoid using equipment made by Huawei in their next- generation networks, saying the Chinese company could pose a security risk. Huawei has rejected the accusations. (With inputs from agencies)

US eyes more stable, profitable ties with Russia, Blinken tells paper

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'. 
 
Speaking at the opening of a meeting in Rome to renew international efforts to combat the Islamist militia, Blinken said Washington continued to urge countries, including the 78 member countries of the coalition against Islamic State, to take back their citizens, who had joined the group. 
 
"This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely. The United States continues to urge countries of origin, including coalition partners, to repatriate, rehabilitate, and where applicable, prosecute their citizens," Blinken said in his opening remarks. 
 
Another key element of defeating Islamic State on a permanent basis required addressing the threats from the group outside Iraq and Syria, and namely in Africa, Blinken said. 
 
Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a reign of terror with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad. 
 
Islamic State was declared militarily defeated in 2017 but has since waged a steady insurgency across parts of northern Iraq and a porous border with neighbouring Syria. 
 
Recent months have witnessed more than 25 deadly attacks that Iraqi officials attribute to Islamic State militants. The January bombing of a crowded Baghdad market killed more than 30 people. 
 
Militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have also grown stronger in recent years, despite the deployment of thousands of regional, Western and UN&nbsp;troops across West Africa's Sahel region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'. Speaking at the opening of a meeting in Rome to renew international efforts to combat the Islamist militia, Blinken said Washington continued to urge countries, including the 78 member countries of the coalition against Islamic State, to take back their citizens, who had joined the group. "This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely. The United States continues to urge countries of origin, including coalition partners, to repatriate, rehabilitate, and where applicable, prosecute their citizens," Blinken said in his opening remarks. Another key element of defeating Islamic State on a permanent basis required addressing the threats from the group outside Iraq and Syria, and namely in Africa, Blinken said. Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a reign of terror with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad. Islamic State was declared militarily defeated in 2017 but has since waged a steady insurgency across parts of northern Iraq and a porous border with neighbouring Syria. Recent months have witnessed more than 25 deadly attacks that Iraqi officials attribute to Islamic State militants. The January bombing of a crowded Baghdad market killed more than 30 people. Militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have also grown stronger in recent years, despite the deployment of thousands of regional, Western and UN troops across West Africa's Sahel region.

Blinken: 'Untenable' for 10,000 IS fighters still to be held in Syria

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Friday that it would be 'very hard' for US to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks dragged on.

The nuclear deal with Iran was struck by world powers in 2015. But the deal faced uncertainties as former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew US from the agreement.

"There will come a point, yes, where it will be very hard to return back to the standards set by the JCPOA," Blinken told reporters in Paris,&nbsp;

Talks were on in Vienna till just a few days ago to revive the deal but they have now been adjourned. Another factor that has been added to the mix is election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as President of Iran. Though he hasn't put out a definitive statement making clear his position on reviving the nuclear deal, he categorically said that he would not be meeting US President Joe Biden.

No date has been decided for resumption of Vienna talks.

Ebrahim Raisi said earlier this week that he would not allow negotiations for negotiation's sake.

"Any negotiations that guarantee national interests will certainly be supported, but... we will not allow negotiations to be for negotiation's sake," he said in his first press conference on Monday (June 25).

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Friday that it would be 'very hard' for US to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks dragged on. The nuclear deal with Iran was struck by world powers in 2015.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Friday that it would be 'very hard' for US to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks dragged on. The nuclear deal with Iran was struck by world powers in 2015. But the deal faced uncertainties as former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew US from the agreement. "There will come a point, yes, where it will be very hard to return back to the standards set by the JCPOA," Blinken told reporters in Paris, Talks were on in Vienna till just a few days ago to revive the deal but they have now been adjourned. Another factor that has been added to the mix is election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi as President of Iran. Though he hasn't put out a definitive statement making clear his position on reviving the nuclear deal, he categorically said that he would not be meeting US President Joe Biden. No date has been decided for resumption of Vienna talks. Ebrahim Raisi said earlier this week that he would not allow negotiations for negotiation's sake. "Any negotiations that guarantee national interests will certainly be supported, but... we will not allow negotiations to be for negotiation's sake," he said in his first press conference on Monday (June 25). (With inputs from agencies)

'Very hard' to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks drag on: Blinken

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it.

"It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said.

Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said.

"It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said.

Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said.

Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said.

Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships.

"That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said.

"Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said.

Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said.&nbsp;"The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said.

"Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said.

He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said.

China is the single nation that militarily, economically, diplomatically and politically has the ability to try to disturb the rules-based order that the United States, its friends and allies strongly defend, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken has said. He also said that China is both the most consequential and most complicated relationship the US has. "It (China) is the single nation state that militarily, economically, diplomatically, politically has the ability to try to up the rules-based order that we strongly defend because it's advanced our own security and prosperity for so many years," Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Tuesday. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee during the hearing on the 2022 Budget Request for the State Department, Blinken said the US-China relationship has increasing adversarial aspects to it. "It certainly has competitive ones. And it still has some cooperative ones as well. But the common denominator is to approach each of those aspects of the relationship from a position of strength. I think that strength starts with a few things," he said. Blinken said that it starts with alliances and partnerships. "This is a unique strategic asset for us, something that China does not enjoy. That's why we're working to revitalise those alliances and partnerships. It includes our engagement in international organisations and international life because when we pull back, China fills in and starts to shape the rules and set the norms," he said. "It absolutely includes our military and our deterrent capability. As you know, better than I, some years ago we started to shift resources to the Asia Pacific, including about 60 per cent of our Navy. Continue to take the steps necessary to make sure we have a strong deterrent," Blinken said. Finally, it involves making the right investments in ourselves, he said. "Investments in our technology, investments in our workers, investments in innovation and research and development, all of those elements together or how we approach China from a position of strength," Blinken said. Responding to a question, the secretary of state said that China is making more investments in its nuclear programme and seeks to build its arsenal. "This is something that I think we need to engage because it presents a growing challenge. So, this is something that we're focused on. We're working on it," he said. Blinken said that the foundational piece of ties with China has to be approaching it from a position of strength. The elements of that strength are strong alliances and partnerships. "That is a strategic asset for us that China doesn't have. When we are working and speaking collectively with others who are aggrieved by China's practices in one area or another, we are much stronger. We're much more effective just in the economic realm, to cite one example," he said. "Alone, we're about 20 per cent, 25 per cent of the world GDP. When we're working in concert with other democracies, we are 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the world GDP. It's a lot harder for China to ignore. So, alliances and partnerships, that's a critical piece," Blinken said. Second is actually leaning in an engaging in these very imperfect international institutions, he said. "The challenge there is that these institutions tend to set the rules, the standards, the norms. When we pull back, China fills in, and it has a stronger hand in setting the rules on new technologies, for example leaning. We are leaning in, making sure with our allies and partners that we're present," he said. "Third, what you've just done or are on the verge of doing, I think this afternoon, with this very important legislation that is making the right investments in ourselves, and our technology, in research and development, in our workers, that is fundamentally our greatest source of strength when it comes to competing and dealing effectively with China," Blinken said. He said, of course, "our military, our deterrent capacity, all of those things have to be married together." (With inputs from agencies)

China has ability to try to disturb rules-based order that US, allies defend: Blinken 

As Iran continues to battle with the US over the 2015 nuclear deal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that it is "unclear whether Iran is willing and prepared to do what it needs to do to come back into compliance."

Watch:

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The US secretary of state's statement comes as the UN nuclear watchdog had said last week that the Rouhani government hadn't answered questions on undeclared nuclear activity.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had said that there are at least three undeclared locations including a fourth site where Iran&nbsp;had allegedly carried out experiments with uranium between 2002 and 2003.

Iranian officials had entered into talks with world powers after the Biden administration signalled its intention to revive the 2015 nuclear deal which the former Trump administration had rejected.

The US has put down compliance with the nuclear deal as a precondition, while Iran has insisted that the US should lift all sanctions imposed by Trump to revive the nuclear deal.

"We're not even at the stage of returning to compliance for compliance," Blinken told the committee even as officials in Vienna continue to negotiate with Iran.&nbsp;

"We don't know if that's actually going to happen," Blinken added on the fate of Iran's compliance over the nuclear deal.

In a report earlier, the IAEA had said Iran had reportedly enriched uranium around 16 times above the limit laid down by the nuclear deal.

Britain, China, France, Germany and Russian officials along with the EU are currently negotiating in Vienna with Iranian officials ensuring indirect talks with the US.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Iran continues to battle with the US over the 2015 nuclear deal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that it is "unclear whether Iran is willing and prepared to do what it needs to do to come back into compliance.

As Iran continues to battle with the US over the 2015 nuclear deal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that it is "unclear whether Iran is willing and prepared to do what it needs to do to come back into compliance." Watch: The US secretary of state's statement comes as the UN nuclear watchdog had said last week that the Rouhani government hadn't answered questions on undeclared nuclear activity. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had said that there are at least three undeclared locations including a fourth site where Iran had allegedly carried out experiments with uranium between 2002 and 2003. Iranian officials had entered into talks with world powers after the Biden administration signalled its intention to revive the 2015 nuclear deal which the former Trump administration had rejected. The US has put down compliance with the nuclear deal as a precondition, while Iran has insisted that the US should lift all sanctions imposed by Trump to revive the nuclear deal. "We're not even at the stage of returning to compliance for compliance," Blinken told the committee even as officials in Vienna continue to negotiate with Iran. "We don't know if that's actually going to happen," Blinken added on the fate of Iran's compliance over the nuclear deal. In a report earlier, the IAEA had said Iran had reportedly enriched uranium around 16 times above the limit laid down by the nuclear deal. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russian officials along with the EU are currently negotiating in Vienna with Iranian officials ensuring indirect talks with the US. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Unclear' about Iran's nuclear compliance, Blinken to lawmakers

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Central American governments to do more to help contain illegal immigration and voiced concerns about the health of local democracy and human rights during a visit to the region on Tuesday. 
 
Speaking at a joint news conference with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, Blinken said the United States wanted to hear from its partners in the region about their shared commitment to managing migratory pressures. 
 
"Good governance is crucial for confronting the challenges and seizing the opportunities of this moment, and yet we meet at a moment when democracy and human rights are being undermined in many parts of the region," Blinken told reporters. 
 
Blinken cited erosion of judicial independence, crackdowns on independent media and NGOs, as well as the suppression of anti-corruption efforts to illustrate his point, noting that the United States had also suffered its own setbacks. 
 
US&nbsp;President Joe Biden has been under pressure to reduce a sharp increase in undocumented immigration at the US-Mexico border since taking office in January. 
 
Regional cooperation to address the issue was now more important than ever, said Blinken, who travelled to Costa Rica, to hold talks with leaders from Central America and Mexico. 
 
Many immigrants stopped at the US&nbsp;border are from three violent and impoverished Central American countries, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, which Washington has pledged aid in return for commitments to improve local governance. 
 
That drive has been clouded by concern about graft, cronyism, signs of authoritarianism and efforts to block the appointment of judges with track records of tackling corruption. 
 
The United States has promised to help poorer countries in the fight against COVID-19 with vaccines, and Blinken said the government would in the next week or so set out plans for how millions of doses would be distributed. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Central American governments to do more to help contain illegal immigration and voiced concerns about the health of local democracy and human rights during a visit to the region on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Central American governments to do more to help contain illegal immigration and voiced concerns about the health of local democracy and human rights during a visit to the region on Tuesday. Speaking at a joint news conference with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado, Blinken said the United States wanted to hear from its partners in the region about their shared commitment to managing migratory pressures. "Good governance is crucial for confronting the challenges and seizing the opportunities of this moment, and yet we meet at a moment when democracy and human rights are being undermined in many parts of the region," Blinken told reporters. Blinken cited erosion of judicial independence, crackdowns on independent media and NGOs, as well as the suppression of anti-corruption efforts to illustrate his point, noting that the United States had also suffered its own setbacks. US President Joe Biden has been under pressure to reduce a sharp increase in undocumented immigration at the US-Mexico border since taking office in January. Regional cooperation to address the issue was now more important than ever, said Blinken, who travelled to Costa Rica, to hold talks with leaders from Central America and Mexico. Many immigrants stopped at the US border are from three violent and impoverished Central American countries, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, which Washington has pledged aid in return for commitments to improve local governance. That drive has been clouded by concern about graft, cronyism, signs of authoritarianism and efforts to block the appointment of judges with track records of tackling corruption. The United States has promised to help poorer countries in the fight against COVID-19 with vaccines, and Blinken said the government would in the next week or so set out plans for how millions of doses would be distributed. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken asks Central America's help on migrants, flags democracy concerns

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top officials in Cairo on Wednesday during a Middle East tour aimed at shoring up a ceasefire that ended the worst fighting in years between Israel and Palestinian militants. 
 
Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States. 
 
In a brief visit, Blinken met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and general intelligence head Abbas Kamel at the presidential palace in Cairo. He made no comments to media ahead of the meeting. 
 
Blinken arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah and is also due to visit Jordan. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States would provide new aid to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief and nearly $33 million for the UN&nbsp;Palestinian aid agency based there. 
 
He also said the United States intended to ensure that Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by Washington as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from the humanitarian aid. 
 
Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, said on Wednesday that the group welcomed Arab and international efforts to rebuild the enclave. 
 
"We will ease and facilitate the task for everyone and we will make sure that the process will be transparent and fair and we will make sure that no penny goes to Hamas or Qassam (Hamas armed wing)," Sinwar told a press conference. 
 
"We have satisfactory sources of money for Hamas and Qassam. A major part of it from Iran and part in donations from Arab, Muslims and liberals of the world who are sympathetic to our people and their rights," he added. 
 
Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has security contacts with Hamas, is likely to have a role in channeling aid, a senior US&nbsp;State Department official said ahead of Blinken`s regional tour. 
 
During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and its Sinai Peninsula in order to provide medical aid and evacuate wounded people. 
 
It also deployed a security delegation that shuttled between Israel and Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire after it came into effect early on Friday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top officials in Cairo on Wednesday during a Middle East tour aimed at shoring up a ceasefire that ended the worst fighting in years between Israel and Palestinian militants.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top officials in Cairo on Wednesday during a Middle East tour aimed at shoring up a ceasefire that ended the worst fighting in years between Israel and Palestinian militants. Egypt has longstanding relations with both sides in the conflict and played a key role in brokering the ceasefire after 11 days of violence, in coordination with the United States. In a brief visit, Blinken met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and general intelligence head Abbas Kamel at the presidential palace in Cairo. He made no comments to media ahead of the meeting. Blinken arrived in Egypt after stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah and is also due to visit Jordan. On Tuesday, he pledged that the United States would provide new aid to help rebuild the Gaza Strip, including $5.5 million in immediate disaster relief and nearly $33 million for the UN Palestinian aid agency based there. He also said the United States intended to ensure that Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by Washington as a terrorist organisation, did not benefit from the humanitarian aid. Yehya Al-Sinwar, the Hamas chief in Gaza, said on Wednesday that the group welcomed Arab and international efforts to rebuild the enclave. "We will ease and facilitate the task for everyone and we will make sure that the process will be transparent and fair and we will make sure that no penny goes to Hamas or Qassam (Hamas armed wing)," Sinwar told a press conference. "We have satisfactory sources of money for Hamas and Qassam. A major part of it from Iran and part in donations from Arab, Muslims and liberals of the world who are sympathetic to our people and their rights," he added. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has security contacts with Hamas, is likely to have a role in channeling aid, a senior US State Department official said ahead of Blinken`s regional tour. During the fighting, Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and its Sinai Peninsula in order to provide medical aid and evacuate wounded people. It also deployed a security delegation that shuttled between Israel and Gaza to reinforce the ceasefire after it came into effect early on Friday.

Blinken meets Egypt's Sisi as US seeks to secure Gaza ceasefire

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that the US would reopen the consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinians. Blinken&nbsp;also added that a two-state solution to resolve the conflict was the way forward under&nbsp;right circumstances

"Ultimately, there's a possibility of resuming the effort to achieve a two-state solution, which we continue to believe is the only way to truly assure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, and of course to give the Palestinians the state they're entitled to," he said in Jerusalem.

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In addition, Blinken vowed to provide aid to millions who have been hurt by the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The consulate was closed by former US President Donald Trump in 2019 who had also limited aid to the Palestinian Authority.&nbsp;

"The United States will be moving forward with the process of reopening our consulate in Jerusalem," Blinken announced&nbsp;after meeting Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/thousands-march-in-britain-to-show-support-for-palestine-386775" hreflang="en">Thousands march in Britain to show support for Palestine</a>

"That's an important way for our countries to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people”, AFP quoted Blinken as saying.

Blinken is currently visiting the region as part of his wider West Asia tour. On Friday, a truce between Israel and Gaza ended 11 days of heavy fighting which included Israel bombing Gaza. Blinken reiterated US support to Israel, saying the country had the right to defend itself against rocket attacks by the Islamist terror outfit Hamas. Blinked added that Hamas mustn’t receive any benefits from the aid.

The US official&nbsp;stressed "the commitment of the United States to rebuilding the relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, a relationship built on mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of security, freedom opportunity and dignity".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/lifestyle/news-watch-12-year-old-gaza-rapper-sings-emotionally-on-palestines-plight-386539" hreflang="en">Watch: 12-year-old Gaza rapper sings emotionally on Palestine's plight</a>

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that the US would reopen the consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinians. Blinken also added that a two-state solution to resolve the conflict was the way forward under right circumstances "Ultimately, there's a possibility of resuming the effort to achieve a two-state solution, which we continue to believe is the only way to truly assure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, and of course to give the Palestinians the state they're entitled to," he said in Jerusalem.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said that the US would reopen the consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinians. Blinken also added that a two-state solution to resolve the conflict was the way forward under right circumstances "Ultimately, there's a possibility of resuming the effort to achieve a two-state solution, which we continue to believe is the only way to truly assure Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state, and of course to give the Palestinians the state they're entitled to," he said in Jerusalem. In addition, Blinken vowed to provide aid to millions who have been hurt by the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas. The consulate was closed by former US President Donald Trump in 2019 who had also limited aid to the Palestinian Authority. "The United States will be moving forward with the process of reopening our consulate in Jerusalem," Blinken announced after meeting Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah. Also read: Thousands march in Britain to show support for Palestine "That's an important way for our countries to engage with and provide support to the Palestinian people”, AFP quoted Blinken as saying. Blinken is currently visiting the region as part of his wider West Asia tour. On Friday, a truce between Israel and Gaza ended 11 days of heavy fighting which included Israel bombing Gaza. Blinken reiterated US support to Israel, saying the country had the right to defend itself against rocket attacks by the Islamist terror outfit Hamas. Blinked added that Hamas mustn’t receive any benefits from the aid. The US official stressed "the commitment of the United States to rebuilding the relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, a relationship built on mutual respect and also a shared conviction that Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve equal measures of security, freedom opportunity and dignity". Also read: Watch: 12-year-old Gaza rapper sings emotionally on Palestine's plight

US to reopen consulate in Jerusalem for Palestinians, says Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed his support to 'two-state solution' to resolve the Israel-Palestine issue that has been one of the major flashpoints in West Asia. His comment came just days ahead of his visit to the region. Two-state solution refers to the establishment of separate states for Israelis and Arabs in Palestine.

"If there isn't positive change, and particularly if we can't find a way to help Palestinians live with more -- with more dignity and with more hope, this cycle is likely to repeat itself, and that is in no one's interest," Blinken said on ABC News' "This Week."

“Ultimately I think that that hope, that security, that dignity will be found in a Palestinian state,” said Blinken in the course of the interview.Blinken's statement represents a marked shift in USA's stance as compared to that when Donald Trump was the president. Trump administration had cut aid to the Palestinian Authority and issued a Middle East peace plan with strong Israeli backing but no support from Palestinians.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-official-demands-access-to-education-jobs-for-gaza-children-386941">UN official demands access to education, jobs for Gaza children</a>

However, the two-state solution is a long-time US goal.

The top US diplomat emphasized the need to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians while beginning a major effort at reconstruction.

The State Department announced Thursday that Blinken will travel to the Middle East "in the coming days", with plans to meet with Israeli, Palestinian and regional counterparts.

Israel and Hamas have agreed upon a ceasefire just days ago. The ceasefire ended 11 days of mutual bombardment that took lives on both sides.

'Something more positive'

Saying the ceasefire would help mark a pivot from violence to "something more positive," he added, "That has to start now with dealing with the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza.

"Then reconstruction, rebuilding what's been lost, and critically, engaging both sides in trying to start to make real improvements" in people's lives.

He was asked on ABC how the Biden administration could ensure that aid would go to ordinary Palestinians and not help the Hamas militants who launched thousands of rockets at Israel.

"We've worked in the past and we continue to work with trusted, independent parties that can help do the reconstruction and the development, not some quasi- government authority," he said.&nbsp;

"The real challenge here is to help the Palestinians and particularly to help the Palestinian Authority deliver better results for their people, and of course, Israel has a profound role to play in that too."&nbsp;

Israel's response to the Hamas rocket barrages has drawn sharp criticism from some liberal members of the US Congress who have questioned American arms sales to the Jewish state.&nbsp;

Asked about that, Blinken replied, "The president has been clear we're committed to giving Israel the means to defend itself... At the same time, any arms sale will be done in full consultation in Congress."

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed his support to 'two-state solution' to resolve the Israel-Palestine issue that has been one of the major flashpoints in West Asia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed his support to 'two-state solution' to resolve the Israel-Palestine issue that has been one of the major flashpoints in West Asia. His comment came just days ahead of his visit to the region. Two-state solution refers to the establishment of separate states for Israelis and Arabs in Palestine. "If there isn't positive change, and particularly if we can't find a way to help Palestinians live with more -- with more dignity and with more hope, this cycle is likely to repeat itself, and that is in no one's interest," Blinken said on ABC News' "This Week." “Ultimately I think that that hope, that security, that dignity will be found in a Palestinian state,” said Blinken in the course of the interview.Blinken's statement represents a marked shift in USA's stance as compared to that when Donald Trump was the president. Trump administration had cut aid to the Palestinian Authority and issued a Middle East peace plan with strong Israeli backing but no support from Palestinians. Also Read | UN official demands access to education, jobs for Gaza children However, the two-state solution is a long-time US goal. The top US diplomat emphasized the need to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians while beginning a major effort at reconstruction. The State Department announced Thursday that Blinken will travel to the Middle East "in the coming days", with plans to meet with Israeli, Palestinian and regional counterparts. Israel and Hamas have agreed upon a ceasefire just days ago. The ceasefire ended 11 days of mutual bombardment that took lives on both sides. 'Something more positive' Saying the ceasefire would help mark a pivot from violence to "something more positive," he added, "That has to start now with dealing with the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza. "Then reconstruction, rebuilding what's been lost, and critically, engaging both sides in trying to start to make real improvements" in people's lives. He was asked on ABC how the Biden administration could ensure that aid would go to ordinary Palestinians and not help the Hamas militants who launched thousands of rockets at Israel. "We've worked in the past and we continue to work with trusted, independent parties that can help do the reconstruction and the development, not some quasi- government authority," he said. "The real challenge here is to help the Palestinians and particularly to help the Palestinian Authority deliver better results for their people, and of course, Israel has a profound role to play in that too." Israel's response to the Hamas rocket barrages has drawn sharp criticism from some liberal members of the US Congress who have questioned American arms sales to the Jewish state. Asked about that, Blinken replied, "The president has been clear we're committed to giving Israel the means to defend itself... At the same time, any arms sale will be done in full consultation in Congress." (With inputs from agencies)

Antony Blinken reaffirms support for 'two-state solution' ahead of West Asia visit

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