Raisina Dialogue success reflects India's prominent role on the "world's stage": US diplomat

The success of 2020 Raisina Dialogue reflects India's prominent role on the "world's stage and at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region", said senior US Diplomat Alice Wells.

India hosted the fifth edition of the annual geopolitical and geo-economic summit from January 15 to January 18. It had seen the participation of foreign ministers from 13 countries and over 180 delegates from 105 countries. Wells also arrived in India to take part in the dialogue.

Addressing a briefing about her recently concluded three-nation tour (Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan), Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South And Central Asian Affairs, said, "The success of this annual conference reflects India's prominent role on the world's stage and at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to joining Deputy National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger's meetings with the Indian national security advisor and foreign minister, we met broadly with the Ministry of External Affairs, the prime minister's office, and the NSC, as well as engaged opposition in civil society."

"I think it's clear that India's broadening strategic horizons over the past two decades have resulted in a shift away from a passive foreign policy into one that more vigorously advances Indian interests. Nowhere is that more true than in the Indo-Pacific region. Whether it's in our growing maritime and naval cooperation, the Quad, India's Act East Policy, there's virtually no daylight in our approaches to the Indo-Pacific," she added.

Besides India, Wells visited Colombo and Islamabad. In Sri Lanka, she met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and his brother Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as the foreign minister, representatives of the opposition, as well as leaders of the Tamil National Alliance and civil society. In Pakistan, Wells held meetings with government, military, civil society, and business leaders.

Wells has said that she was pleased to see "some incremental steps, including the partial return of internet service in Kashmir."

Addressing a briefing about her recently concluded three-nation tour, Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South And Central Asian Affairs, said: On Jammu and Kashmir, I was pleased to see some incremental steps, including the partial return of internet services in Kashmir. And the visit by our ambassador and other foreign diplomats to Jammu and Kashmir is something that I know was extensively covered in the press.