News Analysis India

Tag: America

  • Not Too Many More Vibrant Democracies In The World Than India: White House | world news

    Washington: Applauding the people of India for exercising their right to vote, the White House on Friday said there are not too many more vibrant democracies in the world than India.

    “Not too many more vibrant democracies in the world than India. And we applaud the Indian people for exercising, you know, their ability to vote, and to have a voice in their future government. And we wish them well throughout the process, of course,” White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here.

    Kirby was responding to a question on the ongoing Indian elections, wherein over 969 million people are exercising their right to franchise at one million polling stations to elect 545 members of parliament from thousands of candidates representing as many as 2,660 registered political parties.

    Responding to another question, Kirby said the India-US relationship has strengthened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular during the last three years of the Biden administration. “Our relationship with India is extremely close and getting closer,” he said.

    “You saw it on a State visit (last visit). We launched all kinds of new initiatives, working on critical emerging technologies together, and bolstering and expanding the relevance of the Indo-Pacific quad, of course, which India is a part of. And then, just the people to people exchanges, and the military that we share with India,” Kirby said.

    “It’s a very vibrant, very active partnership. We are grateful for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” said the White House official.

    When asked if President Joe Biden believes that India and Japan are xenophobic countries, he replied in the negative and said the president was recently making a broader point.

    “I mean, the president was making a broader point here about the vibrancy of our own democracy, here in the United States, and how inclusive and participatory it is,” Kirby said.

  • US To Impose New Sanctions Against Iran Following Attack On Israel | world news

    Washington: White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that the US will impose new sanctions on Iran’s missile and drone programs and new sanctions against entities backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Defense Ministry in the coming days.

    In a statement, Sullivan said, “Following Iran’s unprecedented air attack against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response.”

    “In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Defense Ministry,” he added.

    Jake Sullivan said that the US also expects its allies and partners to impose sanctions against Iran. He said that the US continues to work to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.

    Sullivan said, “We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions. In addition, we continue to work through the Department of Defense and US Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.”

    He noted that the new sanctions and other measures will continue a “steady drumbeat of pressure” to contain and degrade Iran’s military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours. He recalled that the US, in the past three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, has imposed sanctions against more than 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism.

    Jake Sullivan said, “Over the last three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit trade, horrific human rights abuses, and Support for proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah.

    “We will not hesitate to continue to take action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions,” he added.

    On April 14, US President Joe Biden met with the national security team for updates on Iran’s attacks against Israel, calling its commitment to Israel’s security against threats from proxies and Iran “ironclad.”

    In the wake of Iranian drone strikes on Israel on Saturday, Biden held a meeting with his national security team. In a post on

    Earlier on Saturday, Iran launched several drones and missiles toward Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the killing of Iran’s three top generals, The Times of Israel reported.

    On Sunday morning, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also said that 99 per cent of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted by air defenses. “The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, combined with a strong fighting coalition, which together intercepted the vast majority of the threats,” Hagari said. In addition, Hagari said that Iran fired 120 ballistic missiles at Israel. “As you can see now, the base is functioning and continues to perform its tasks. In the picture, you can see the runway at Nevatim,” he said, showing live footage from the airbase.”

    Lauding Israeli forces for intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday that it was an “incredible military achievement” by Israel.

    In his remarks at the NBC News ‘Meet The Press’, Kirby said that the action taken by Israel demonstrates an extraordinary example of military superiority. He stated that the action shows that Israel has friends. He said that the US will continue to help Israel defend itself.

    Asked about the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement that 99 per cent of the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli and US forces, Kirby responded, “Where things stand this morning is just an incredible military achievement by Israel and quite frankly the United States and other partners that helped Israel defend itself against more than three hundred drones and missiles. I mean, it’s just an extraordinary example of military superiority that Israel demonstrated to the whole world last night.”

    “And I think Israel also demonstrated that it has friends, that it’s not standing alone. That it’s not isolated on the world stage. Now, whether and how the Israelis will respond? That’s going to be up to them. We understand and respect that. But, the President’s been very clear: We’re not looking for escalation here.