Page 4 - Indo Pacific

India supports Pacific islands' quest for development: EAM Jaishankar

India considers supporting the Pacific islands' quest for development as its responsibility, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday. In his brief remarks at an event, Jaishankar also said the Islands in the Pacific are not "small Islands" but rather "large Ocean countries" and that India is privileged to be their partners. "We consider it our responsibility to support the Pacific Islands in their quest for sustainable development. Climate change, natural disasters, poverty alleviation and healthcare are common challenges that we need to address together," he said. "India is always ready to do more with our Indo-Pacific partners," he added. Jaishankar's remarks came at a virtual ceremony that saw India signing an MoU for implementation of four community development projects in the Marshall Islands. "I am glad that these projects cover areas, including a community sports centre in Ailuk Atoll, airport terminal on Mejit Island, community centres at the Arno and Wotje .

India, Bangladesh reiterate commitment to free, inclusive Indo-Pacific

The two nations pledged to work together on global platforms to promote their common interests, particularly those of the Global South

India, Australia, and France pledge to work for rules-based Indo-Pacific

India, Australia and France have vowed to jointly work towards a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific amid China's growing muscle-flexing in the region. The overall situation in the Indo-Pacific came up for detailed deliberations at the third 'India-France-Australia trilateral focal points' meeting that took place in Delhi on Wednesday. "The three sides reviewed the progress made under the three pillars of trilateral cooperation: maritime safety and security, marine and environmental cooperation, and multilateral engagement," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the meeting identified new proposals for furthering the trilateral cooperation, including under the framework of the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) mechanisms. "India, Australia and France reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their shared values and working together towards a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific," the MEA said

Over $23 bn of sustainable infra projects identified at IPEF eco forum meet

As many as 69 sustainable infrastructure projects worth over USD 23 billion of investment opportunities were identified at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) clean economy investor forum meet in Singapore, according to a statement. The statement of Singapore's ministry of trade and economy, which hosted the meet, out of the 69 projects, 20 investment-ready projects worth about USD 6 billion were presented to investors at business matching sessions. Remaining projects worth about USD 17 billion were also identified as potential investment opportunities in future. The forum brought together about 300 participants from the Indo-Pacific region's top investors, cutting-edge project proponents, innovative start-up entrepreneurs, ministers and senior government officials. The Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal. Organised by Singapore's ministry alongside the 13 other IPEF partners, the forum aims to facilitate high-quality business and .

US govt reaffirms unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region

Highlighting significant milestones, Patel referenced President Biden's initiatives, including a historic trilateral summit at Camp David involving Japan and the Republic of Korea

UK's July general election: It's impact on India FTA, Indo-Pacific tilt

As the campaign for the UK general election gathers momentum after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised many this week with a snap summer poll on July 4, exactly a month after India's election results on June 4, the prospect of an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) has been kicked into the long grass. While political analysts and strategic experts have expressed confidence that very little should change on the bilateral relationship front whatever the outcome in either election, the very small window that was open for a deal being clinched by the Sunak-led Tory government has now been swept away in the election wave of both countries. The Opposition Labour Party, in the lead in most pre-election surveys, has committed itself to finish the job but the timelines will remain uncertain for some time. Rishi Sunak's shock poll date announcement of July 4 has skewered any prospect of the finalisation of the long-awaited and much-anticipated FTA with India by a Conservative ...

India, European Union eyeing to boost cooperation in Indo-Pacific

India and the European Union have vowed to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific with a resolve to address common security challenges and promote peace and stability in the region. The two sides explored ways to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at a security and defence dialogue in Delhi on Monday. In the meeting, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, democracy and rule of law and freedom of navigation and overflight, a readout by the EU delegation in India said. The dialogue was co-chaired by Vishvesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in the defence ministry and Joanneke Balfoort, Director, Security and Defence policy of European External Action Service. The two side also underlined the importance of unimpeded lawful commerce and peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law, ...

Top US, Chinese naval officials discuss challenges in Indo-Pacific region

Top US and Chinese naval officials held a rare meeting in China on Wednesday amid the growing tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea and discussed the increasing security challenges" in the Indo-Pacific region. Admiral Stephen Koehler, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, met Admiral Yuan Huazhi, political commissar of the People's Liberation Army Navy, (PLAN) on the sidelines of the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium being organised by the Chinese navy at the coastal city of Qingdao. Koehler met Yuan to discuss increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, a statement from the US Pacific Fleet, which provides naval forces to the Indo-Pacific Command, said. Two days earlier, Koehler had met the commander of China's navy, Admiral Hu Zhongming, according to the statement. In meetings with Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) officials, Koehler discussed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, operational safety and regional security concerns, the Hong

'Ready to cooperate': G7 foreign ministers advocate free, open Indo-Pacific

The foreign ministers of the G7 have reiterated their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and emphasised that a growing China that plays by international rules would be of global interest. Terming China a key interlocutor in addressing global challenges, and that the G7 stands ready to cooperate with Beijing on areas of common interest, a G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting Communique on Friday said, Our policy approaches are not designed to harm China, nor do we seek to thwart China's economic progress and development. However, we are concerned that China's nonmarket policies and practices are leading to harmful overcapacity that undermines our workers, industries, and economic resilience. A growing China that plays by international rules would be of global interest, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US, and the High Representative of the European Union said on the final day of the Ministerial meeting on Foreign Affairs that wa

India, France to launch climate fund for startups in Indo-Pacific countries

Two nations agreed to set up the fund after Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to France for Bastille Day celebrations last year

Indo-Pacific to ensure US-India partnership supports allies: Lloyd Austin

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has told lawmakers that by bolstering the Indian military's capabilities, the nations can work together to uphold a more stable balance of power across the wider Indo-Pacific. He also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing this week on the annual budget of the Department of Defense that the militaries of the US and India are accelerating operational activities to boost maritime security in the Indian Ocean. "By bolstering the Indian military's capabilities, we can work together to uphold a more stable balance of power across the wider Indo-Pacific," Austin said and added that "with this budget request, we are beginning a new chapter in US-India relations under our Major Defense Partnership". The defense secretary said, "Our militaries are accelerating joint exercises, information-sharing and other operational activities to boost maritime security in the Indian Ocean." "We are committed to ensuring that th

US, Japan announce major upgrade to defence alliance to counter China

US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently unveiled a historic upgrade of US-Japan defence ties amid China's growing assertiveness

Biden to meet Philippines, Japan leaders to discuss China in Indo-Pacific

President Joe Biden is bringing together Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Thursday as the three nations use their first-ever trilateral summit to try to show they are in lockstep about countering China's military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders are expected to announce that their coast guards will hold a joint patrol in the Indo-Pacific in 2024, a follow-up on law enforcement drills carried out last year by the allies in waters near the disputed South China Sea. The US Coast Guard will also welcome Filipino and Japanese coast guard members onto a US Coast Guard vessel during the patrol for training, according to senior Biden administration officials who requested anonymity to preview the talks. The summit comes a day after Biden held one-on-one talks with Kishida and feted the Japanese premier with a glitzy state dinner at the White House, a diplomatic honour meant to recognise Tokyo's growing ..

India-US relationship growing, stronger than before: Pentagon officials

The relationship between India and the United States has been growing and is stronger than it has ever been, America's top Defence Department officials have told lawmakers with an influential Congressman noting that New Delhi is a swing vote because of its ties with Russia. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely S. Ratner told members of the House Subcommittee on Indo-Pacific on Wednesday that the US has been strengthening its relationship with India across a number of areas. "I would describe the US-India relationship as growing and stronger than it has ever been and absolutely essential to our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. "We have been strengthening a number of areas across the relationship including in co-production, where we've made some major strides on jet engines, some new projects on armoured vehicles to integrate our defence industrial base, which is one important way to make those bonds all the stronger," Ratner said in response to

US aims to be 'economic partner of choice' for Indo-Pacific, says official

Raimondo said she is often asked if the United States is asking countries in the Indo-Pacific to choose between China and the United States

Germany to boost Indo-Pacific engagement with military deployment to India

Germany has planned a "never before" military deployment to India to underline that its engagement in the Indo-Pacific is "serious and long lasting". "So what we have planned this year, together with our Indian partners, is something that has never been there before the German Air Force. The German Air Force will send jets to India, but not on our own. We never go alone. We will do it with the French, Spanish and British," said Sebastian Fuchs, a spokesperson for the German embassy here. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will host the large-scale multi-nation military exercise in southern India in August. Germany will dispatch a significant contingent of military aircraft, including fighter jets, tankers and transport planes, for the exercise. This will be followed by a visit by a German naval frigate and a combat support ship to Goa in October. This marks the second major naval deployment by Germany to India in recent years. "We will have a frigate that is coming in October to the shores

US narrows gap with China in number of diplomatic posts, says report

China has pushed in recent years to be seen as a key voice of the Global South, a reference to emerging-economy nations

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma to visit India next week

United States' Indian-American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma will be on a six-day long official visit to India, Sri Lanka and Maldives next week to strengthen bilateral ties with the nations, along with reaffirming America's enduring commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous region. Verma, who is currently the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, and the second senior post in the State Department, will travel to India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka from February 18-23 to strengthen America's cooperation with each of these key Indo-Pacific partners. Shortly following the two-year anniversary of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, his trip will reaffirm the United States' enduring commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous region, a media release said. In New Delhi, Verma will meet with senior government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to advance the US-Indian global strategic partnership on a full range of issues, including economic ..

Despite China's pressure, Taiwan reiterates cooperation with Palau

The Ministry said in a statement that Taiwan has long supported Palau in tourism development in a bid to strengthen the Pacific nation's "economic resilience and sustainability"

What's in $118 bn Senate package that pairs border policies & wartime aid?

Those powers would not restrict the entry of US citizens or others with a legal basis to enter the country