Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON DC, 13th Jan. According to the US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller on Friday informed the media that India External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart US Secretary Anthony Blinken spoke over the phone on Thursday and reaffirmed their maritime cooperation in the region.
Both leaders discussed the recent attacks on merchant ships by the Iranian backed Houthi groups in the Red Sea.
Mr. Miller said “The Secretary and External Affairs Minister discussed the United States and India’s shared concerns over reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law,”.
Blinken emphasized that the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region, during their telephonic conversation.
They spoke about the Israel-Hamas conflict, efforts to prevent the conflict’s escalation and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and Blinken also discussed Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine.
EAM posted from his official X handle, “A good discussion this evening with my friend US @SecBlinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza. Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realizing our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024.”
Blinken said the US has deepened its partnership with India, added that his country has elevated cooperation with New Delhi, Japan and Australia through the Quad.
“We’ve deepened our partnership with India. We’ve elevated cooperation through the Quad with India, Japan, Australia,” Blinken said at an end-of-year press conference on Wednesday.
According to a press release issued by the US State Department, Blinken said the US’ partnerships in the Indo-Pacific have never been stronger.
He said the US was “working with the United Kingdom and Australia to produce nuclear-powered submarines. We launched new comprehensive strategic partnerships with Vietnam and Indonesia, a new Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, new trilateral initiatives with the Philippines and Japan, new embassies in the Solomon Islands and Tonga,” under Quad pact.
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