US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will embark on a journey to India to participate in the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue alongside their Indian counterparts, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. This dialogue is scheduled to take place in New Delhi later this month, as confirmed by the State Department.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller issued a statement on Wednesday, disclosing that Blinken's visit to India marks the final leg of an extensive tour spanning over a week, starting on November 2 and continuing until November 10. This tour will encompass stops in Israel, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, and India. The exact dates for each country have not been announced yet.
During their time in New Delhi, the US delegation is expected to engage in the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, involving meetings with Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, and other high-ranking Indian officials. These discussions will encompass both bilateral matters and broader global concerns, with a specific focus on developments and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Blinken's journey commences with his departure to Tel Aviv on Thursday. In Israel, he will reiterate the United States' support for Israel's right to self-defense against terrorism, adhering to international humanitarian law. Additionally, he will address efforts to ensure the well-being of US citizens in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, with a particular focus on securing the release of hostages and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. He will also explore strategies to prevent the expansion of the conflict.
His visit to Jordan will emphasize the importance of safeguarding civilian lives and their shared commitment to providing consistent and increased humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. These efforts will aim to restore essential services and prevent the displacement of Palestinians beyond Gaza's borders. During the visit, discussions will center on mechanisms to reduce violence, lower regional tensions, and reaffirm the US's dedication to collaborating with partners in creating conditions for a lasting peace in the Middle East, including the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Subsequently, Blinken will lead US delegations to Tokyo, Seoul, and New Delhi, furthering collaborative initiatives aimed at supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific region characterized by prosperity, security, connectivity, and resilience.
In Tokyo, he will participate in the second G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting of 2023, building on the commitments made during the G7 Hiroshima Summit. Blinken will extend gratitude to Japan for its successful G7 presidency. Bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko will revolve around various priorities, such as supporting Ukraine's economic recovery and energy needs, as well as strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The subsequent leg of his journey will take him to Seoul, where meetings with President Yoon Suk Yeol, Foreign Minister Park Jin, and National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong will transpire. These discussions will explore ways in which the United States and the Republic of Korea can address global challenges, including Russia's conflict with Ukraine and its increasing military cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), along with instability in the Middle East. The talks will also encompass collaborative efforts to boost bilateral investment and enhance economic security.
Throughout his visits to Tokyo and Seoul, Blinken will underscore the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defense of Japan and the Republic of Korea. These engagements will reaffirm the significance of robust and sustained trilateral collaboration, building on the historic Camp David Summit in August.
