State Secretary Blinken To Discuss Afghan Issue With Indian Partners: US

Antony Blinken, during his India visit next week, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to discuss ways to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan during talks with Indian leadership next week, a top State Department official told reporters Friday. Blinken, during his India visit next week, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and discuss a wide range of issues including Indo-Pacific engagement and shared regional security interests. During a special briefing, Acting Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson said, "Our bilateral discussions with our Indian partners will focus on expanding our security, defense, cyber, and counterterrorism cooperation." "On regional issues, we intend to discuss our efforts to support a just and durable peace in Afghanistan. All of Afghanistan's neighbors and countries in the region have an interest in a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan, which can only be accomplished through a negotiated political settlement that brings an end to 40 years of conflict. India, of course, is a critical partner in the region, and we welcome India's shared commitment to peace and supporting economic development in Afghanistan."