Blinken discusses Myanmar situation with Jaishankar

By Arul Louis New York, Feb 10 : US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation in Myanmar, where a military coup was staged on February 1, with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Blinken reaffirmed “the strength of the US-India partnership” and they discussed “issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Burma (Myanmar)” during their conversation on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.
“Blinken expressed concern over the military coup and the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Burma,” he said.
Price said that Jaishankar and Blinken “also discussed regional developments, including the value of US-India cooperation across the Indo-Pacific” and they looked forward to “expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change”.
The Quad is the group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, which was reinvigorated under former President Donald Trump to counter China’s aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific.
Taking to Twitter following the call, the Indian Minister tweeted: “Welcomed the comprehensive discussion today with Secretary Blinken. Reviewed Indo-Pacific developments and the Quad cooperation. Exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar. Look forward to remaining in touch.”