Keshap will replace former deputy secretary of state Daniel Smith, who was appointed in May to spearhead cooperation on shared priorities…reports Asian Lite News
The Joe Biden administration has named Atul Keshap, a career diplomat and old South Asia hand, as the new chargé d’affaires in India, saying it will reinforce the bilateral partnership and collaboration in the fight against Covid-19.
Keshap will replace former deputy secretary of state Daniel Smith, who was appointed in May to spearhead cooperation on shared priorities, including overcoming the global pandemic. Keshap will depart for New Delhi following the retirement of Smith, the US state department said.
“Ambassador Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US embassy New Delhi and as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia,” the US state department spokesperson said.
“Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US Embassy New Delhi and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia,” the statement said.
He most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The passage of the resolution came just a day after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $41 million more in assistance…reports Asian Lite News
The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday calling for urgently facilitating assistance to India to help it fight the second wave of Covid-19 epidemic.
The resolution, which is non-binding and expresses the sense of the House, was introduced by the Democratic and Republican co-chairs of the House India caucus and also expresses bipartisan solidarity with India.
“The resolution stands with the people of India as they collectively work to stem the spread of Covid-19,” said Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat. “The US must work with our partners around the world to quell the virus everywhere it persists.”
Steve Chabot, the Republican co-chair, said, “India’s Covid-19 second wave has caused immense suffering, both in India and among the Indian-American community many of whose members have family in India. Our close ties to India and India’s support for us early in the pandemic call for our support. As case rates continue to decline, we must help them finish the battle against the second wave and win the war against Covid-19 altogether.”
Modi-Biden
The resolution “recognises the efforts of the administration to deliver urgently needed medical supplies and vaccine raw materials to India; (and) urges the administration to facilitate private, in-kind medical supply donations to India and work to deliver additional, urgently needed medical supplies to India, including oxygen generator plants and a cryogenic oxygen tanker and containers.”
The passage of the resolution came just a day after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $41 million more in assistance, taking up the total to $200 million, in addition to $500 million of supplies and relief.
While criticised for being slow to mobilise support for India, over the course of May, the U.S. had provided – as per official estimates – over $100 million in government assistance and a total of over $500 million in assistance including individual and private sector contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also spoken with U.S. President Joe Biden as well as Vice President Kamala Harris on the assistance India needed and the U.S.’s plans to share its excess vaccines.
Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure, reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan was under “pressure” from the US and other Western powers over his country’s all-weather ties with China and vowed to never buckle under pressure.
Pakistan and China enjoy a “very special relationship” spanning over 70 years and nothing could change these time-tested ties, Khan said in an interview with China’s English-language state-broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN), an excerpt of which was shared on his Instagram account.
Talking about the evolving regional rivalry between the US and China, Khan said that “Pakistan thinks it is very unfair for the US or other powers – western power” to pressurise “countries like us to take sides” in a conflict with China.
“Why should we take sides? We should have good relations with everyone. It is not going to happen if pressure is put on Pakistan to change its relationship or downgrade its relationship with China, it wouldn’t happen,” Khan said.
Emphasising the deep relationship with China, Khan said that Pakistan would never bend under any kind of pressure. “Whatever will happen, our relationship between the two countries – no matter what pressure is put on us – is not going to change,” he said.
He said that there was a “strange, great rivalry” taking place in the region which was public knowledge.
“World Bank grants $800mn loans to PakistanYou see the United States being wary of China. The way United States and China are looking at each other creates problems because what the United States is doing is it’s formed this regional alliance called the Quad, which is US, India and a couple of other countries,” Khan said.
The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Responding to a question about how to further deepen Sino-Pakistan ties, Khan said that the two sides enjoyed strong political ties but the relationship was not only limited to official relations but it was also “people to people relationship”.
He said trade was important to increase ties in future and termed the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the “biggest thing happening in Pakistan”.
The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China’s ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Highlighting the 70 years of diplomatic ties, Khan said China always stood with Pakistan, which “always had a very special relationship with China”.
He said that China “always stood with us” whenever Pakistan was in trouble politically or internationally or in a conflict with its neighbour, in an apparent reference to India.
“In good times, everyone stands with you but in your difficult, tough times, bad times, you remember those people who stood by you. That’s why you will find that in Pakistan, people always have a special fondness for people in China,” he said.
Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Chahar Dara district of Kunduz province, Afghanistan, Jan. 16, 2018. The Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, have been the hotbeds of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to attack the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region. (Xinhua/Ajmal Kakar/IANS)
The commander of US forces in Afghanistan said the US will support the Afghan security forces as foreign forces leave the country….reports Asian Lite News
The top US military commander in Afghanistan has said that the country may collapse into civil war after the full US military drawdown.
Addressing a press conference in Kabul, General Austin S Miller on Tuesday said, “Civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized. That should be a concern for the world.”
The United States after 20 years in Afghanistan could not hope to impose a military solution as it has tried to do for almost two decades but had to seek a compromise political settlement, Miller said, as quoted by New York Times (NYT).
The commander of US forces in Afghanistan said the US will support the Afghan security forces as foreign forces leave the country.
Amid growing Taliban offensive and seizure of territory in the northern part of the country, Miller said that the Taliban’s expansion of violence makes it difficult to achieve peace.
According to NYT, US officials expect the entire withdrawal of their forces from the country will be completed in less than a week by the July 4 national holiday.
Pentagon on Tuesday said the end of the retrograde end will signify the end of the US combat mission in Afghanistan. The US mission will transition to protecting US diplomatic efforts in the nation and to establishing the bilateral relationship between the United States and Afghanistan, it added.
Taliban attack at the peak in Afghanistan
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that the only American forces that will be left in the country will be there to protect the U.S. diplomatic presence.
As the Taliban is continuing attacks against Afghan government forces, Kirby said, “The violence is too high and … the security situation, certainly, is concerning over there.”
“What’s important to say — and I’ll say it again — is that we want to see a peace process that’s credible and Afghan-led and leads to a negotiated settlement.” (ANI)
The UAE on Monday announced 2,040 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the country to 628,976….reports Asian Lite News
The government has updated its COVID 19 travel advisory for the UAE to “level 4 – do not travel,” the State Department said on Monday.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel health Notice for United Arab Emirates due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country,” the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State said in a travel advisory.
The advisories for Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia were also raised to level 4 – do not travel, the State Department said in a statement.
The UAE on Monday announced 2,040 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the country to 628,976.
According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.
The ministry also announced six deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,802.
It called on all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and physical distance to ensure the health and safety of all.
It also noted that an additional 1,988 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 607,606.
However, the decision to set up a date and time is up to France, which holds the Security Council Presidency in July….reports Asian Lite News
The United States, United Kingdom and Ireland have sought an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the issues in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray, where rebel fighters were able to enter the regional capital of Mekele on Monday, according to reports quoting several sources.
The reports suggested that the UNSC meeting could be held on Friday.
However, the decision to set up a date and time is up to France, which holds the Security Council Presidency in July.
Meanwhile last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed shock at the killing of three staff members of Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region.
“I am deeply shocked by the murder of three MSF humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia. This is totally unacceptable and an appalling violation of international humanitarian law. The perpetrators must be found and severely punished,” he said in a statement late Saturday.
People display photos of Tigrian deceased fighters during the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) at Mekelle Stadium in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde/IANS)
Guterres expressed solidarity with UN humanitarian partners who are risking their lives to provide protection and relief to people in Tigray, reports Xinhua news agency.
The trio were travelling on the afternoon of June 24 when the MSF lost contact with them.
The next morning, their vehicle was found empty and their bodies were lying a few meters away, according to the MSF.
Since November 2020, the Ethiopian government has been undertaking military operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which ruled the region.
Guterres reiterated the need for all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to ensure the protection of civilians.
He called for an independent and swift investigation into this incident.
The UN chief further called for an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray and for urgent steps to peacefully resolve the conflict.
The US lawmakers passed two bills on a bipartisan basis to increase funding for the National Science Foundation…reports Asian Lite News
The US House of Representatives on Monday passed legislation that would boost scientific research in an effort to make the US more competitive than China.
The US lawmakers passed two bills on a bipartisan basis to increase funding for the National Science Foundation and establish a new directorate for science and engineering to expand research opportunities, as well as authorise research funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, reported The Hill.
“We must significantly boost funding for science. For years, we have allowed millions of dollars of excellent research go unfunded,” said House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
“We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history and we need to be more focused on the role of science in our society,” he added.
The first bill, called the National Science Foundation for the Future Act was passed in a 345-67 vote while the second measure, titled the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act was passed 351-68. They would increase funding for the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy’s Office of Science by about seven per cent annually.
Republicans also added a provision in committee to ban grant applicants from participating in talent programs associated with foreign governments of concern such as the Thousand Talents Program, which is tied to the Chinese government, according to The Hill.
“It is critical that we strike the correct balance between keeping our research enterprise open but also from protecting it from adversaries who seek to take advantage of our open system,” said Republican Representative Michael Waltz.
Aside from the two bills passed on Monday, which originated out of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, separate legislation out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is also in the works, The Hill reported.
The bill, introduced by Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks would provide temporary protection or refugee status to people in Hong Kong and Uyghurs facing human rights violations by the Chinese government and invest in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines to promote U.S. “vaccine diplomacy” to counter Chinese vaccines, which are less effective than the ones developed in the US.
This comes after the US Senate passed a mammoth package earlier this month to provide funding for the National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The Senate legislation also includes provisions to increase diplomatic pressure on China, such as mandating a diplomatic boycott at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In May, the Senate voted 84-11 to move ahead with the Endless Frontiers Act introduced by Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer, which seeks up to USD 100 billion over five years for basic and advanced tech research and another USD 10 billion to create new technology hubs across the country.
Under the former President Donald Trump’s administration, ties between the two countries had deteriorated over issues such as human rights violations in Xinjiang, encroachment on the special status of Hong Kong, accusations of unfair trade practices by Beijing, lack of transparency concerning the pandemic and China’s military aggression in various parts of the world. (ANI)
The latest US move was welcomed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Maryam Al-Sadiq, who hosted Baskett on Monday….reports Asian Lite News
The relations between United States and Sudan have returned to normal, according to an embassy spokesperson in Khartoum.
Amber Baskett, the Chargé d’Affairs at the American embassy in the Sudanese capital, confirmed the decision came as a result of the achievements of the interim transitional government, the Arab News reported.
The latest US move was welcomed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Maryam Al-Sadiq, who hosted Baskett on Monday.
The minister said the normalisation of relations was deserved for the progress the country had made since the ousting of Omar Bashir in 2019, according to the Arab News report.
She added that the US decision would support Sudan’s democratic transition efforts and address its challenges.
The US relations with Sudan have been on an upward trajectory since 2019, and included the removal of the African country from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2020, it was reported.
Last week, South Sudan had launched its first oil licensing auction, offering five blocks.
The Ministry of Petroleum said the Oil Licensing Round aims to attract interest from a diverse group of foreign investors.
The ministry said it has identified new exploration blocks with potential hydrocarbons and has compiled crucial data to provide to interested investors, operators and counterparties.
The oil companies operating in South Sudan include China National Petroleum Corporation, India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Malaysia’s PETRONAS.
According to statistics from the ministry, about 90 per cent of South Sudan’s oil and gas reserves remain unexplored, providing unprecedented opportunities to international investors.
A total of 11 finalists including the nine Indian-Americans will compete for the champion title…reports Asian Lite News
Nine Indian –Americans have made it to the finals of this year’s US Spelling Bee contest, according to media reports citing organisers.
A total of 11 finalists including the nine Indian-Americans will compete for the champion title during the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals on July 8, a statement from the organisers said, the Hindustan Times quoted news agency PTI in a report.
The 11 finalists are Roy Seligman, 12, from Nassau, The Bahamas; Bhavana Madini, 13, from New York; Sreethan Gajula, 14, from Charlotte, North Carolina; Ashrita Gandhari, 14, from Leesburg, Virginia; Avani Joshi, 13, from Illinois; Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from New Orleans; Vivinsha Veduru, 10, from Texas; Dhroov Bharatia, 12, from Dallas; Vihaan Sibal, 12, from Texas; Akshainie Kamma, 13, from Texas and Chaitra Thummala, 12, from San Francisco.
The HT reported that over the past 20 years, Indian-Americans have been dominating the Spelling Bee contest even though they comprise only about 1 per cent of the US population. The Spelling Bee was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spelling Bee reflects the dominance young kids from the small ethnic community have had on this prestigious and high-pressure endurance test for more than a decade now, it was reported.
Says US will never let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon while he is in power, reports Asian Lite News
President Joe Biden, in a meeting on Monday with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, said his commitment to Israel is “iron-clad” and he looks forward to meeting with new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett soon.
Biden, in his first meeting as president with a top Israeli official, also said Iran would not come to possess a nuclear weapon during his time in office.
“My commitment to Israel is … ironclad,” Biden told Rivlin at the start of their meeting in the Oval Office. He said the two officials would discuss a range of topics, including Iran.
“What I can say to you is that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch,” Biden said.
The meeting took place just weeks after Bennett took over as Israel’s new prime minister, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. officials are working on setting up a meeting between Biden and Bennett in the coming weeks.
“He’s going to invite the prime minister of Israel in the very next days in order to find a way to go forward and to exchange ideas,” Rivlin said of Biden after their meeting.
The get-together comes amid concerns in Israel and Arab capitals about US efforts to re-enter the Iran nuclear deal because of fears a resumption of the accord may eventually allow Tehran to acquire atomic weapons that would leave them vulnerable to Iranian intimidation or military threat.
US attempts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, after then-President Donald Trump abandoned it in 2018, have been slow to make progress with Tehran insisting the United States lift all economic sanctions.
A source familiar with the Biden-Rivlin meeting said Biden was expected to tell Rivlin that the United States and Israel share the same objective, that Iran not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and that Biden would stress US support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss Israel’s 11-day war with Gaza. The United States has pledged to resupply Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, which got heavy usage during the Gaza conflict.
Rivlin is to leave office on July 7 after a seven-year term, with Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog taking over as Israeli president.
Rivlin is on his final foreign trip as president. He will meet officials at the United Nations in New York and congressional lawmakers in Washington.
Biden’s comments come a day after the US military launched airstrikes against Iran-backed militias Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada in the Syrian-Iraqi border region in response to attacks against American interests in Iraq.
Earlier on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the attacks were justifiable under Article 2 of the US Constitution that gives the president authority to use military force to protect US interests.
