News Analysis India

Tag: India US ties

  • Russia Slams US For Alleging India’s Role In Pannun’s Foiled Murder Plot, Says ‘No Reliable Evidence…’ world news

    The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed the US’s allegations against India for a foiled assassination plot against pro-Khalistan radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, saying that Washington has not yet provided any reliable evidence of Indian citizens’ involvement in the case. “According to the information we have, Washington has yet to provide any credible evidence of Indian citizens’ involvement in the planning of the murder of a certain GS Pannun.

    “Speculation on this topic in the absence of evidence is unacceptable,” said Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman, during a briefing on Wednesday. She said that the United States does not understand the national mentality or the historical context of the Indian state’s development, and that it disrespects India as a state.

    Zakharova’s remarks came in response to a media question about Moscow’s reaction to allegations against an Indian official of a foiled “assassination” plot, and the American news publication ‘The Washington Post’ stating that India is attempting to do the same as Russia and Saudi Arabia. against its opponent.

    “I believe ‘The Washington Post’ should use the term “repressive regime” and everything you quoted about Washington. It is difficult to imagine a more repressive regime than Washington, both domestically and internationally. Now, directly to your question,” she added. .

    “Regular unfounded accusations by the US against New Delhi (we see that they falsely accuse not only India but also many other states) of violating religious freedoms reflect the US’ misunderstanding of the national mentality, the historical context of the development of the Indian state. , and disrespect for India as a state,” she stated.

    “This doesn’t just apply to India. The reason is a desire to destabilize India’s internal political situation in order to complicate the upcoming general elections. This is an example of interference in India’s internal affairs,” she said.

    In April, the External Affairs Ministry rejected a report in The Washington Post that named an Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official as being involved in the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States.

    Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), described the US media report as “speculative and irresponsible” and described it as an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” imputation on a “serious matter” that is being investigated.

  • US Prez Biden Terms India As ‘Xenophobic’ In Immigration Speech Ahead Of Presidential Election | world news

    US President Joe Biden has labeled two of his QUAD partners, India and Japan, and two of his adversaries, Russia and China, as “xenophobic” nations, claiming that none of these countries, unlike the United States, welcome immigrants. “This election is about liberty, America, and democracy. That’s why I bady need you. You and many others have contributed to the growth of our economy. Why? “Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden told supporters at a fundraiser here Wednesday evening. .

    “We look to the reason—look, think about it. Why is China’s economy stalling so badly? Why is Japan having trouble? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they are xenophobic. Biden, the Democratic Party’s candidate, stated that they don’t want immigrants.

    Immigration is a hot topic in the upcoming presidential election on November 5, when Biden will face former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive candidate.

    Their nominations will be confirmed during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

    “Immigrants are what give us strength. This is not a joke. That’s not hyperbole, because we have an influx of workers who want to be here and contribute,” the president said at the Democratic Party fundraising event. India and Japan are members of QUAD, a four-member strategic security dialogue that includes the United States and Australia.

    Last year, Biden hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a state visit, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid an official visit to the White House last month. Biden has come under fire from his opponents and the Republican Party for his immigration policies, as hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants enter the United States each month.

  • ‘Serious Issue…’: US Calls For Accountablity In Alleged Murder Plot Of Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun |

    New Deljhi: In a recent development that has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and India, a high-ranking US diplomat has labeled the alleged assassination attempt on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist, as a “serious issue” for both nations. Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, emphasized the gravity of the situation during a Congressional hearing focused on Pakistan’s election. 

    “This is a serious issue..We take it incredibly seriously, raised at the highest level with India. Encourage India to hold accountable those responsible”, Lu said.

    Lu pointed out that the US Department of Justice has implicated an Indian citizen, allegedly acting under the direction of an Indian government official, in a plot to assassinate Pannun on American soil. The administration is taking this accusation very seriously, and the matter has been escalated to the highest levels of dialogue with India.

    In response to this incident, India has established a committee to conduct a thorough investigation. Lu urged for a swift and transparent inquiry to ensure that justice prevails. The accused, Nikhil Gupta, is currently detained and faces charges of murder-for-hire.

    The US Justice Department’s indictment alleges that an unnamed Indian government employee orchestrated the recruitment of Gupta to hire a hitman for the assassination, which was ultimately thwarted by US authorities. This case has brought to light the complex web of international relations and the challenges of ensuring accountability across borders.

    Last December, Jon Finer, the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, acknowledged the steps taken by India to address the situation, including the formation of a Committee of Enquiry. 

  • India, US resolve to expand defence technology cooperation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In sync with their fast-expanding strategic ties, India and the US have resolved to strengthen defence technology cooperation by pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress on several specific projects, officials said on Wednesday.

    The two sides have firmed up an agreement for developing an air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle under the joint working group on air systems as part of the framework on Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

    Ways to strengthen defence technology cooperation figured prominently at the 11th meeting of the DTTI Group that was held virtually on Tuesday, the officials said.

    The meeting in the virtual format was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar and Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment from US Department of Defence Gregory Kausner.

    “The co-chairs were also pleased to note that since the last DTTI Group meeting in September 2020, the first project agreement for the air-launched unmanned aerial vehicle under the joint working group air systems was signed which is a major accomplishment for DTTI,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

    It said the two sides agreed on a revised statement of intent (SOI) that declares their intent “to strengthen our dialogue on defence technology cooperation by pursuing detailed planning and making measurable progress” on several specific DTTI projects.

    The aim of the DTTI Group is to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defence trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and co-development of defence equipment.

    Four joint working groups focused on land, naval, air and aircraft carrier technologies have been established under DTTI to promote mutually agreed projects within their domains.

    The ministry said the groups reported to the co-chairs on ongoing activities and collaborative opportunities, including a number of near-term projects targeted for completion on priority.

    The DTTI Group meetings are normally held twice a year, alternating between India and the US.

    However, this DTTI meeting was held via video conferencing consecutively for a second time on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    To further encourage US and Indian industries to develop niche technologies under the DTTI group, an expo of the Defence Industry Collaboration Forum (DICF) was organised virtually on Monday.

    This forum offers an opportunity for Indian and US industries to be directly involved in DTTI and facilitates dialogue between government and industry on issues that impact industrial collaboration.

    The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    In June 2016, the US had designated India a “Major Defence Partner”.

    The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.

    The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

    In October last year, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

  • Interaction between navies of India, US will pave way for focused outcomes: Admiral Karambir Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Admiral Karambir Singh on Sunday stated that it was an honour and a privilege to host Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday during his five-day visit to India and the interaction between the navies of the two countries will pave way for focused outcomes.

    During his visit to India from October 11 to 15, Gilday had held extensive talks with Singh on various issues, including regional security scenario and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

    It was “an honour and a privilege to host Chief of US Naval Operations”, Singh stated on Twitter through the Indian Navy’s account.

    Strategic partnership and engagement between our navies has seen increased vibrancy in the past few years, Singh noted.

    “I am confident that our interactions will pave way for focused outcomes, taking our relationship on an even higher trajectory,” Singh mentioned.

    The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

    In June 2016, the US had designated India a “Major Defence Partner”.

    The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, as well as provides for deeper cooperation.

    The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 that provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

    In October last year, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties.

    The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

  • India-US revamping strategic partnership to focus on clean, green energy: Minister Jitendra Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said India and the US are revamping their strategic partnership to focus on clean energy sectors such as biofuels and hydrogen.

    During a meeting with a high-level US delegation led by Deputy Secretary of Energy David M Turk, he also said that India’s commitment to promote its atomic and nuclear programme is not only for providing a major source of clean energy but also a major tool of application in areas like healthcare and agriculture.

    “In the next 10 years, India will produce more than three times nuclear power and it is expected to reach 22,480 MW by the year 2031, from the current 6,780 MW, as more nuclear power plants are planned in the future,” Singh, who is minister for science and technology, and atomic energy, said.

    Calling for greater Indo-US cooperation in the field of clean and green energy, Singh said, “India and the United States are revamping their strategic partnership to focus on clean energy sectors such as biofuels and hydrogen.”

    Deputy Secretary of Energy Turk, who called on the Union minister here, promised deeper engagement with India in the green hydrogen sector as recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech.

    He said that it is also imperative for climate change and mitigation related issues.

    The two countries have also signed up for the transformation of the US-India gas task force.

    This will entail emphasis on the intersectionality between bio-energy, hydrogen and renewable fuels with natural gas.

    Noting that gamma irradiation technology for food preservation has already been shared with private players, Singh highlighted that at present, 26 gamma radiation processing plants are operational in the country in private, semi-government and government sectors for irradiation of various products.

    Singh also underlined the proposal for establishing a research reactor on the public-private partnership mode for production of medical isotopes to provide affordable treatment for cancer and other diseases.

    Deputy Secretary Turk assured Singh that the US will deepen its collaboration with India in nuclear energy as there is a lot of complementarity there.

    On clean and green energy, Singh said with the rapid introduction of biofuels, renewable energy and green hydrogen, India is well poised to play an important role towards carbon neutrality.

    He informed that the government is already encouraging adaptation of hydrogen fuels and technology for the mobility sector and many industries like steel, cement, and glass manufacturing have already started using hydrogen for heating requirements.

    Referring to all-encompassing cooperation in science and technology and academia exchange programmes, Singh said India has proposed to launch a Mission Integrated Bio Refineries where the US is actively supporting the initiative.

    Few areas of potential research and development for collaboration in advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals and materials have been identified.

    On coronavirus pandemic front, the US-India science and technology endowment fund awarded 11 bilateral teams under the category of COVID- 19 Ignition Grants.

    They are working on solutions that include novel early diagnostic tests, anti-viral therapy, drug re-purposing, ventilator research, disinfection machines, and sensor-based symptom tracking.

    Dwelling on the bilateral artificial intelligence initiative, Singh said a curtain raiser of IUSSTF’s US India Artificial Intelligence Initiative (USI-AI) was held on March 17.

    The objective of this initiative is to provide a unique opportunity to both the countries to strengthen their strategic partnership by focusing on AI cooperation in critical areas at the interface of science, technology and society, he said.

  • US blinks over human rights issues in India as part of larger strategy

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the anticipation was that he will take up issues related to human rights during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar but all seems to have turned into a damp squib as the US official remarked after the meeting that all democracies are works in progress.

    The probable ease in the US’ stance is in contrast to expectations when Joe Biden assumed office of the US President earlier this year. It was widely expected that the Biden, unlike his predecessor, would not hold back to call out New Delhi for issues related to human rights.

    So, why has there been a ‘downgrade’?

    Experts are of the view that that US-India relations are no longer based on a narrow interpretation of issues and so-called irritants and has transformed into a mature and broad-based relationship. “The US will side step being too harsh or critical against India as it does not want to disturb many aspects of the growing bilateral relationship. When compared to the 1990s and the early 2000s, there is a lot more at stake for the US, as is for India, to be vocally against New Delhi,” a research scholar at a leading think-tank said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Taliban action will have consequences’: Afghanistan issue dominates Blinken-Jaishankar ties

    However, some experts argue that that Blinken’s humility may have stemmed from the recent historical experience of the US interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. “In the 1980s, the US worked with Mujahideen in Afghanistan to defeat the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States dropped the ball in Afghanistan and returned only after the dastardly 9/11 terrorist attacks. After almost two decades of having boots on the ground, the United States has withdrawn from Afghanistan, leaving space open for the Taliban. Unlike the other authoritarian groups, the Taliban denies not only political freedoms, but it seeks to define people’s social lives and even individual clothing choices. Similarly, after prolonged US intervention, it is doubtful if citizens of Iraq enjoy full-spectrum human rights and political freedoms,” Senior Fellow at the Delhi Policy Group, Sanjay Pulipaka said.

    Former US Presidents like Barack Obama have called out India over human rights issues. During a visit to India in 2015, the former president had said, “India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith — so long as it’s not splintered along any lines, and is unified as one nation.”

    ALSO READ | Blinken announces USD 25 million for India’s Covid vaccination programme

    Senators too have vocally voiced concerns over the Kashmir situation. In the aftermath of India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in August 2019, Senator Lindsey Graham, who was considered to be close to former President Trump, in a report had said, “The Appropriations Committee notes with concern the current humanitarian crisis in Kashmir and calls on the Government of India to: fully restore telecommunications and Internet services; lift its lockdown and curfew; and release individuals detained pursuant to the Government’s revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution.”

    Pulipaka opines that the downgrade of criticism against India could be a part of a larger foreign policy strategy by the US. “The unipolar moment in world politics is long gone. Consequently, the US attempts to rap on the knuckles of fellow democracies or others may not yield positive outcomes. For example, a relatively smaller power like Myanmar today is not losing sleep over US sanctions. So, the US needs other democracies to promote human rights in different regions of the world. It is here that frameworks such as Quad come into play. While the democracies continue their “quest for a more perfect union,” they should simultaneously protect and promote democracy in the larger Indo-Pacific region. Blinken’s humility, therefore, is a confident call for more collaboration and a calibrated approach towards the promotion of human rights,” he said.

  • India, US stand united in addressing scourge of terrorism: External Affairs minister S Jaishankar

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and the US stand united in addressing the scourge of terrorism and supporting regional economic connectivity through transparent development of infrastructure, while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, in a veiled jab at Pakistan and China.

    He said that the two sides are together in opposing terrorist safe havens, countering terror-financing and strengthening cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including those in India’s immediate neighbourhood.

    In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said the India-US partnership is one of the major relationships in the world and the cooperation between the two countries is evident in the common commitment to address contemporary issues such as terrorism, climate change and pandemics.

    The external affairs minister’s comments came a day after he held wide-ranging talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with a focus on the Indo-Pacific engagement, COVID-19 response and economic recovery and the situation in Afghanistan.

    In his written response, Jaishankar said India and the US have a comprehensive, strategic and global partnership based on shared democratic values and convergence of interests on regional and global matters and the relations have seen a steady growth and development after 2014.

    He also referred to a joint strategic vision of the two countries for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions that calls upon all parties to avoid the threat or use of force and pursue resolution of territorial and maritime disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

    “To this end, India and the US are committed to respecting freedom of navigation, overflight and commerce throughout the region and the need to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international laws,” Jaishankar said in comments seen as directed at China.

    China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea as well as in the larger Indo-Pacific region has been a matter of considerable concern for leading global powers.

    Jaishankar said India and the US support bolstering regional economic connectivity through transparent development of infrastructure and the use of responsible “debt-financing practices”, while ensuring respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the rule of law and the environment.

    There has been growing global criticism of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as Chinese financing has resulted in rising debt in several countries where infrastructure projects under the mega programme are being implemented.

    “India and the US stand united in addressing the global scourge of terrorism, inter alia by opposing terrorist safe havens, countering terror financing and strengthening cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including those in our immediate neighbourhood. There are regular consultations on domestic and international terrorist designations listing proposals,” the external affairs minister said.

    Jaishankar said the global partnership between India and the United States is evident in their common commitment to address contemporary issues. “The India-US relationship is today one of the major relationships of the world and there is widespread appreciation of the significance of this relationship and the fundamental convergences therein,” he said.

    Jaishankar identified healthcare and COVID-19 response, the digital innovation ecosystem, energy, knowledge and education and strategic and defence collaborations as the key priorities of the ties.

    “Healthcare has emerged as an important sector of collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. India’s timely supply of critical medicines and protective gear to the US last year was well-received,” he said, adding that the US government and private sector deployed substantial consignments of critical medicines and oxygen-related equipment for India to combat the second wave of the pandemic.

    Jaishankar said the rapidly expanding commercial and economic linkages form an important component of the multi-faceted partnership and that the US is among India’s largest trading partners and a major destination for its exports of goods and services, with the balance of trade in New Delhi’s favour.

    “As global non-proliferation partners, the US has expressed strong support for India’s early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and has supported India’s accession into the MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group,” he said.

    The minister said the US also supports India’s permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council. “India-US relations are on a strong footing, given the deep-rooted cooperation, shared values and interests. The leadership in both countries is committed to consolidating the relationship and global partnership in the coming years,” he said.

  • Month on, India yet to get doses from US under its donation plan

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Even a month after the Joe Biden administration announced that it was donating 80 million doses to various countries, India is yet to receive Covid-19 vaccines from the US. However, countries such as Taiwan, Pakistan and Bangladesh have got their shipment of vaccines.

    Officials said conversations are on at many levels regarding the shipment but failed to provide a clear timeline and the number of vaccines that will be given to India. The 80 million doses that the US had decided to donate include vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca.

    India has cleared Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik and Moderna vaccines for emergency use, while Pfizer is yet to get approval from the Indian authorities. PM Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with US Vice-President Kamala Harris last month where the latter elaborated the Biden administration’s plans to donate the first tranche of 25 million of the 80 million doses.

    “Just like we have in our domestic response, we will move as expeditiously as possible, while abiding by the US and host country regulatory and legal requirements, to facilitate the safe and secure transport of vaccines across international borders. This will take time, but the president has directed the administration to use all the levers of the US to protect individuals from this virus as quickly as possible,” a White House statement, detailing plans of the vaccine donations, had said. 

    Officials believe that while the Centre is keen on the doses from the US, New Delhi’s domestic requirements would be met only if the vaccine manufacturing capacity is scaled up. 

  • Jaishankar, Blinken discuss crisis in first in-person meet

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in London late on Monday night and discussed the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and the Indo-Pacific region. This was the leaders’ first face-to-face meeting after having spoken over the phone and virtually previously. “We discussed first and foremost the strong support we are getting from the US on dealing with the Covid situation. We are very, very appreciative of that,” Jaishankar said after the meeting.

    Sources said oxygen and related equipment will continue to be a priority between the two countries and that Washington has acted on New Delhi’s request for Remdesivir.  “The leaders discussed how greater Indian vaccine production can address both India’s own needs and the requirement of global public health. India and the US will collaborate bilaterally, in Quad format and through multilateral initiatives for the same,” a source added.

    Blinken said the US remembers well when India came to their assistance in the early days of Covid in a very important and powerful way.  So far, the US has sent five consignments of assistance, including oxygen concentrators and other related supplies, to India to deal with the ongoing Covid crisis. Sources said views were also exchanged on the Indo- Pacific strategic landscape. “The conversation brought out the convergence of interests and the ministers reviewed the progress in practical cooperation in recent months,” a source said.              

    Army’s Delhi base hospital faces oxygen shortageNew Delhi: The situation at the Indian Army’s Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment turned distressing on Monday with the oxygen supply getting curtailed by the Delhi government. “The requirement of oxygen at the base hospital is 3.4 MT but the Delhi government was allotting only 1 MT till now. But the problem arose when it was reduced further to 0.42 MT from last night,” an Army officer said. The Army had last week converted the base hospital at Delhi Cantonment area into a Covid-19 hospital to provide “extensive” medical assistance.