Tag: blinken

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Blinken calls on China to cooperate on Covid-19 origins

Amid criticism , Blinken said that the Joe Biden administration is determined to “get to the bottom” of the origins of the novel coronavirus….reports Asian Lite News

The United States needs to delve deeper into the origins of COVID-19 and hold China accountable, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview aired on Sunday amid calls for a fresh probe into the origins of the virus.

“The most important reason we have to get to the bottom of this is that’s the only way we’re going to be able to prevent the next pandemic or at least do a better job in mitigating it,” Blinken said in an interview with Axios which was aired on HBO.

Amid criticism surrounding the inconclusive international probe into the virus’ origins, Blinken said that the Joe Biden administration is determined to “get to the bottom” of the origins of the novel coronavirus.

On the issues of transparency of information on the virus, State Secretary told Axios that China has not “given us the transparency we need” and needs to be held accountable. He called on Beijing to make available all information relating to the pandemic and allow full access for international inspectors.

On Saturday, Former US President Donald Trump had called on America and all the nations to demand reparations from China due to the damage caused by COVID-19.

Speaking at the North Carolina Republican Convention, Trump said: “The time has come for America and the world to demand reparations and accountability from the Communist Party of China. We should all declare within one voice that China must pay. They must pay.”

“In addition, all nations should work together to present China for a bill of minimum USD 10 trillion to compensate for the damage they have caused and that is a very low number, the damage is far far greater. As a first step, all countries should collectively cancel any debt that they owe to China as a downpayment on reparations,” he said at the convention.

This recent push to get unearth more information on COVID-19 has come after Biden ordered the US intelligence community to produce a report re-examining the origins of the novel coronavirus and to help determine whether the disease leaked from a lab or spread from an infected animal to a human.

After the Biden administration’s push to “redouble their efforts” to come to a conclusion on the origins of COVID-19, China appears to be on the backfoot and hit back at the US saying that it does not care about real facts.

“Some people in the US completely ignore facts and science, do not pay attention to ambiguous parts of their own research and their failures in the fight against the pandemic, over and over making the buzz that a re-investigation needs to be conducted regarding China,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said last month. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar, Blinken, affirm strong India-US ties

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Blinken off to Middle East for peace talks

Starting from Monday to Thursday, Blinken will travel to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman to meet leaders of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has embarked on a trip to the Middle East to consolidate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which was reached after an 11-day bloodshed in an around the Gaza Strip, the State Department said.

Starting from Monday to Thursday, Blinken will travel to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman to meet leaders of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan, Xinhua news agency quoted the Department as saying.

Blinken and regional leaders will discuss essential follow-up efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and reduce risks of further conflict over the coming months, it added.


“Following up on our quiet, intensive diplomacy to bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, I have asked my Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to travel to the Middle East this week,” President Joe Biden was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the White House on Monday.

ALSO READ: Blinken, Lavrov discuss stable ties despite differences

“During his trip, Secretary Blinken will meet with Israeli leaders about our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. He will continue our administration’s efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and leaders, after years of neglect.

Israeli soldiers operate an artillery battery from a position at the Israeli-Gaza border near Sderot, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence. (Photo Ilia Yefi

“And he will engage other key partners in the region, including on the coordinated international effort to ensure immediate assistance reaches Gaza in a way that benefits the people there and not Hamas, and on reducing the risk of further conflict in the coming months,” the President added.

An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement came into effect on May 21 at 2 a.m. between Israel and Hamas.

The 11-day clashes, the worst since 2014, have left at least 240 Palestinians dead and 1,910 others wounded.

On the Israeli side, there were 12 fatalities and 300 injuries.

ALSO READ: Talks with Blinken very frank: Lavrov

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-Top News Europe USA

Blinken, Lavrov discuss stable ties despite differences

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov(Twitter)

The two countries “greatly diverge when it comes to our assessment of the international situation and our approaches towards how we should resolve it.” Lavrov responded…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have discussed normalising bilateral relations as they met in person for the first time in Iceland.

Blinken said that the US seeks “a predictable, stable relationship with Russia” in comments ahead of the meeting, according to a State Department transcript, DPA news agency reported.

But he also said “it’s no secret that we have our differences” before the meeting, which was held on the margins of an Arctic Council ministerial meeting.

“When it comes to those differences,” Blinken said, US President Joe Biden has let his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin know that “if Russia acts aggressively against us, our partners, our allies, we’ll respond.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov(Twitter)

Lavrov responded by saying that the two countries “greatly diverge when it comes to our assessment of the international situation and our approaches towards how we should resolve it.”

“We are prepared to discuss all issues on the table with the understanding that our discussions will be honest, factual, and with mutual respect,” the Russian minister said during the meeting on Wednesday.

The top diplomats were expected to discuss a potential meeting between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden has suggested a summit in a third country, but it is unclear whether Putin will say yes.

Other topics for Lavrov and Blinken’s talks included the escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, North Korea’s and Iran’s nuclear programmes and the situation in Afghanistan.

ALSO READ: Blinken, Lavrov set for 1st meeting

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-Top News Europe USA

Blinken, Lavrov set for 1st meeting

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the face-to-face between Lavrov and Blinken was arranged to discuss “key issues of mutual relations and the international agenda.”…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will on Wednesday meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the first time, on the margins of the Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Iceland, a Department of State spokesman said.

“The bilateral meeting will take place after the evening’s final Arctic Council event and will provide an opportunity to test the proposition of whether we can achieve a relationship with Moscow that is more stable and predictable,” Ned Price said in a statement on Tuesday evening, DPA news agency reported.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the face-to-face between Lavrov and Blinken was arranged to discuss “key issues of mutual relations and the international agenda.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

A topic expected to be discussed will be a potential meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The US president had suggested the two meet in a third country at a summit, but it is unclear whether Putin will accept the invitation.

Biden will take his first overseas trip as president in June, when he is scheduled to attend the G7 summit in Britain and then travel to Belgium for meetings with NATO. Top-level talks with EU officials are also planned.

US-Russia ties have nose-dived over Washington’s allegations of election interference and cyberattacks, the treatment of jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The two sides have imposed a wave of sanctions and counter-sanctions.

ALSO READ: Raab, Blinken discuss pandemic, FTA

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-Top News USA World News

‘Some US actions undermine global order’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Blinken made the remarks as the previous administration led by Donald Trump announced US’ exit from some international agreements…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that some US actions in recent years have undermined the rules-based world order.

“I know that some of our actions in recent years have undermined the rules-based order and led others to question whether we are still committed to it,” Blinken made the remarks at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Multilateralism, Xinhua reported.

During the administration of former US President Donald Trump, the US announced its exit from some international agreements, such as its withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal, a landmark agreement signed in 2015 between Iran and six major countries.

The US decided to quit the Paris Agreement in June 2017 and formally withdrew from the climate change deal on November 4, 2020, making it the only nation among nearly 200 signatories that has abandoned this global agenda on combating climate change.

Also read:‘US ignored Pak outreach for rapprochement’

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-Top News EU News Europe

Raab, Blinken discuss pandemic, FTA

The G7 Ministers gathered Monday for a three-day meeting in London for the first time in two years to address such issues as economist recovery after the coronavirus pandemic and climate change…reports Asian Lite News.

In a first face-to-face meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the raging Covid-19 pandemic and a possible free trade agreement (FTA) between Washington and London.

The meeting took place in London on Monday ahead of the first in-person meeting of the G7)Foreign and Development Ministers in two years, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab hosted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at 1 Carlton Gardens ahead of this week’s G7 Foreign Ministers meeting. They held a discussion on foreign policy priorities and opportunities to strengthen the UK-US friendship,” a British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said in a statement.

“Discussions included UK-US shared commitment to open societies, a strengthened multilateral system, efforts to build back better from COVID-19, including through the COVAX facility and a UK-US FTA,” said the spokesperson.

They also discussed latest developments in Afghanistan, Iran and Ethiopia, among other issues, according to the spokesperson.

During their joint press conference, Raab said that the world has changed quite a bit in the past two years, which brings challenges that require global solutions.

“Our societies and our economies have been shocked and shaken by coronavirus,” said Raab.

“There’s also rapid technological change which brings new opportunities, we’ve seen that with collaboration on things like the vaccine, but also acute challenges, and there are global threats from COVID to climate change that frankly demand global solutions and we’re committed to trying to find and forge those solutions,” he added.

Taking to Twitter, Blinken said: “Very good meeting with Dominic Raab on US-UK shared priorities with the Indo-Pacific, NATO, Ukraine, Iran, Burma, Ethiopia, and other global issues. An ever-closer Transatlantic partnership is critical to confront global challenges and build back better together.”

The G7 Ministers gathered Monday for a three-day meeting in London for the first time in two years to address such issues as economist recovery after the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.

The conference was reportedly held with strict Covid-secure measures being insured by organisers.

The last G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting took place in France in April 2019.

The UK holds the rotating presidency of the G7 group, which also includes the US, France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Italy.

The meeting this week will also be attended by representatives from the European Union, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, and South Africa, as well as this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Brunei.

The G7 summit will be held in Cornwall, a seaside resort in southwestern England, on June 11-13.

Also Read-Dominic Raab replaces David Davis

Read More-Raab set for talks with EU

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-Top News India News USA

Blinken, Jaishankar meet in London, discuss Covid situation

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S.Jaishankar meets US Secretary of StateAntony Blinken in London

Jaishankar conveys India’s appreciation for the support extended by the US to India in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, reports Asian Lite News

In their first in-person meeting on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken deliberated on ways to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, situation in the Indo-Pacific and issues relating to climate change.

S Jaishankar and Secretary Blinken held the talks in London on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.

In a series of tweets, S Jaishankar said he conveyed to Blinken appreciation for the support extended by the US to India in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

5th in a series of consignments carrying medical equipment arrives from the US(Twitter)

“Good to meet in person my old friend @SecBlinken. Detailed discussion on the global Covid challenge, focussing on expanded vaccine production capacity and reliable supply chains,” he tweeted.

The external affairs minister said the meeting also covered issues relating to Indo-Pacific, climate change and UN Security Council.

Also read:Biden hopes to meet Putin in June

“Expressed appreciation for the strong US support to India at this difficult time, especially oxygen and Remdesivir. Our meeting also covered issues of Indo-Pacific, UN Security Council, Myanmar and climate change,” he said.

S Jaishankar and Blinken held in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 challenge and the immediate requirements of India, sources said.

5th in a series of consignments carrying medical equipment arrives from the US(Twitter)

Blinken assured Jaishankar that the US is monitoring developments closely and will respond positively to any Indian requirements.

Meanwhile, flights from the US carrying Covid-19 aid to India have been delayed, the Department of Defense (DOD) of that country said on Monday night. So far, four flights have landed in India with Covid-19-related supplies such as Remdesivir, oxygen cylinders, medical equipment and other regulators.

“The final two flights of COVID-19 aid to India have been delayed at least until Wednesday,” US DOD said on Monday. The US Transportation command said that the delay was due to ‘maintenance issues’.

“Fifth in a series of consignments carrying medical equipment arrives from the US. This one carrying 545 oxygen concentrators,” tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

A flight carrying 1,000 oxygen cylinders, medical equipment reached India on Saturday night. Earlier last week, the first two planes carrying emergency relief supplies, rapid diagnostic tests and N95 masks and other medical equipment reached India. The White House has already announced that it will deliver medical aid worth Rs 100 million to India to provide urgent relief as the country battles the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

1700 oxygen concentrators, multiple large-scale Oxygen Generation Units that can support up to 20 patients in India are among supplies that are a part of the US commitment towards assistance to New Delhi in its fight against COVID-19. The Biden administration has also facilitated the manufacturing of 20 million doses of vaccine by AstraZeneca.

Also read:Priti, Jaishankar sign Migration & Mobility partnership

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-Top News India News USA

India, US team up for Afghan stability

Both nations agreed to close and frequent coordination in support of a lasting peace and development for the people of Afghanistan…reports Arul Louis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have agreed that the two nations will coordinate on efforts to promote stability in Afghanistan, from where Washington and NATO will be withdrawing their troops, according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Blinken spoke to Jaishankar “to reaffirm the importance of the US-India relationship and cooperation on regional security issues”, Price said in a readout of their conversation on Monday.

They “agreed to close and frequent coordination in support of a lasting peace and development for the people of Afghanistan”, he said.

Myanmar, where the military has flouted the results of parliamentary elections, imprisoned the democratically elected leaders and cracked down on protesters since the February 1, figured in their talks.

They “reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values and mutual support for the restoration of democracy in Burma”, Price said using the old name for Myanmar.

Other issues discussed were cooperation on climate change, for which President Joe Biden is convening a global summit, Covid-19 and “other global challenges”, he said.

Jaishankar said in a tweet that their “conversation covered recent developments in India’s immediate and extended neighbourhood. Exchanged views on the UNSC agenda. Also discussed issues pertaining to our health cooperation”.

Also read:Biden team adds 2 Indian-Americans

Reports that the US was going to lift the embargo on exporting raw materials needed for making Covid-19 vaccines followed the mention of health and the pandemic as topics of their conversation.

However, President Joe Biden’s Spokesperson Jen Psaki would not confirm if there was an agreement on allowing the vaccine raw materials export.

Announcing his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan ending a 20-year-old war, Biden last week asked India and other regional countries to pitch in to help stabilise the country.

India, which was mostly on the sidelines of the US efforts to make a deal with the Taliban to facilitate the troop withdrawal by the September 11 deadline, has been invited at Washington’s suggestion to an Afghanistan peace conference in Turkey this month.

New Delhi has given Afghanistan economic assistance of over $3 billion since 2001 and also provided security assistance through training over 4,000 Afghan military and security personnel and supplying helicopters.

India also built Afghanistan’s Parliament and is constructing a network of roads that would also provide a link for the landlocked country to a port it has constructed in Chabahar, Iran.

Also read:Covid surge: India on UK’s red list

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-Top News Afghanistan USA

Ghani meets Blinken in Kabul

During the meeting held in the Afghan Presidential Palace on Thursday, Ghani stressed the common struggle of all countries against terrorism…reports Asian Lite News

A day after US President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by September which will end the 20-year old war, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and visiting American Secretary of State Antony Blinken exchanged views on the decision and the war on terrorism.

During the meeting held in the Afghan Presidential Palace on Thursday, Ghani stressed the common struggle of all countries against terrorism, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ghani told Blinken that Afghanistan respects the US President’s decision, adding that the Kabul government will ensure a smooth transition.

The President said that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) were capable enough to defend their country and ensure security.

Ghani, Blinken meet in Kabul(Twitter)

On his part, the top US diplomat said: “The withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan will not mean the weakening of strategic relations between the two countries. The US will honour its commitments to the government and people of Afghanistan.”

Blinken said his visit to Afghanistan was important because he wanted to convey in person America’s commitment to an enduring partnership with the country and its people, TOLO News reported.

Also read:9/11:Biden sets deadline for pullout

“We never intended to have a permanent military presence here. Threat from Al Qaeda in Afghanistan is significantly degraded.

“By our enduing to support to Afghanistan economically, diplomatically, politically, I do want to say that as we proceed, we will remember the extraordinary courage, strength and sacrifices our troops who served in Afghanistan in the past two decades.

“An now we are embarking on a new chapter in our partnership with the Afghan people,” he added.

The Secretary of State also warned the Taliban against attacking the US forces as they are withdrawing from Afghanistan, saying any attack by the Taliban will be met with forceful response.

“We will continue to support Afghan national security forces, but importantly we are doing everything we can now to advance diplomacy to bring in regional and international partners,” he added.

Also read:Ghani calls for ceasefire during Ramadan

Besides Ghani, Blinken also met Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

“We agreed that a negotiated political settlement remains the only way forward, and the US will continue to support it,” he said of his meeting with Abdullah.

President Joe Biden (www.instagram.comwhitehouse)

Biden on Wednesday announced the full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, who have stayed in the country for 20 years.

Biden said that it has been 10 years since former Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden’s death, and it is time to end America’s war in the country and to bring US troops home.

“We will begin our withdrawal on May 1,” Biden said, adding that it will not be a “hasty rush to the exit”, and if the Taliban attacks, the US will defend itself and partners with “all the tools at our disposal”.

Also read:Australian troops to exit Afghanistan by September

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-Top News EU News USA

Blinken heads back to Brussels

The decision came amid escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s military build-up along the border…reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday embarked on a visit to Brussels, Belgium, to consult with NATO allies on a range of shared priorities.

Taking to Twitter, Blinken said: “Glad to be heading back to Brussels. The US is committed to rebuilding US alliances, particularly with our NATO allies.

“We remain steadfast in our support for NATO as the essential forum for trans-Atlantic security.”

Accompanying Blinken will be Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin for discussions with allies and partners, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on Monday.

“The Secretary will take this opportunity to reaffirm the US commitment to the Transatlantic alliance as a critical partnership for achieving our mutual goals.

Blinken embarks on Brussels visit(IANS)

“Separately, Secretary Blinken will hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with European counterparts to discuss key priorities and shared challenges,” Xinhua news agency quoted Price as saying in the statement.

The trip came amid escalating tensions in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s military build-up along the border.

It also came ahead of the May 1 deadline set by the US-Taliban deal for a full withdrawal of American and coalition troops from Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden said last month that it would be hard for the United States to meet the deadline.

Also read:Blinken ,Japanese FM discuss free ‘Indo-Pacific’