• Latest
  • Trending

US official Alice Wells’ tour of South Asia in perspective

January 13, 2020
Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

March 23, 2023
Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena scores an outrageous goal direct from a goal kick.

Goalkeeper scores from a goal kick – it could set the record for the longest range goal in history

March 23, 2023
Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

March 23, 2023
Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

Ramadan fasting in Sri Lanka to commence on Friday

March 23, 2023
Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi: Two-year jail for India’s Congress leader for defamation

March 23, 2023
Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

March 23, 2023
Mahinda Rajapaksa

Supreme court lifts overseas travel bans imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa

March 22, 2023
Rafael Nadal has won a record 21 Grand Slam men's singles titles

Nadal out of top 10 for first time since 2005

March 22, 2023
Ukraine

IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 bln program

March 22, 2023
Exchange Rate

Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

March 22, 2023
Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

Significant drop in Gold prices in Sri Lanka

March 22, 2023
Earthquake. (Representational image: iStock)

11 killed as strong earthquake rattles Pakistan, Afghanistan

March 22, 2023
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Friday, March 24, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NewsIn.Asia
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

    Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    Ramadan fasting in Sri Lanka to commence on Friday

    Rahul Gandhi

    Rahul Gandhi: Two-year jail for India’s Congress leader for defamation

    Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

    Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

    Mahinda Rajapaksa

    Supreme court lifts overseas travel bans imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa

    Exchange Rate

    Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

    Significant drop in Gold prices in Sri Lanka

    Earthquake. (Representational image: iStock)

    11 killed as strong earthquake rattles Pakistan, Afghanistan

    Importance of “deep sea” biodiversity preservation for Sri Lanka

    Importance of “deep sea” biodiversity preservation for Sri Lanka

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Ukraine

    IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 bln program

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Manchester United is for sale, who could buy the world-famous club?

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    IMF

    Sri Lanka’s world-beating bonds pin hopes on IMF’s billions

    Putin announces partial mobilization for Russians, threatens enemies

    ICC judges issue arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin

    US Commission slams India’s anti-conversion laws  

    US Commission slams India’s anti-conversion laws  

    Plastic bottles. tanvi sharma @exportersindia / Unsplash

    Could waste plastic become a useful fuel source?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

    Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix appear in "Joker: Folie à Deux": Image credits - Warner Bros.

    Lady Gaga in first look of ‘Joker’ sequel

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • All
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
    Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

    Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

    Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash

    Ramadan fasting in Sri Lanka to commence on Friday

    Rahul Gandhi

    Rahul Gandhi: Two-year jail for India’s Congress leader for defamation

    Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

    Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

    Mahinda Rajapaksa

    Supreme court lifts overseas travel bans imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa

    Exchange Rate

    Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    Gold. Image credits - Jingming Pan / Unsplash

    Significant drop in Gold prices in Sri Lanka

    Earthquake. (Representational image: iStock)

    11 killed as strong earthquake rattles Pakistan, Afghanistan

    Importance of “deep sea” biodiversity preservation for Sri Lanka

    Importance of “deep sea” biodiversity preservation for Sri Lanka

  • World
    • All
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Canada sees record population growth in 2022 from immigration

    Ukraine

    IMF staff reaches agreement with Ukraine for $15.6 bln program

    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Manchester United. Image credits - Javid Naderi / Unsplash

    Manchester United is for sale, who could buy the world-famous club?

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    IMF

    Sri Lanka’s world-beating bonds pin hopes on IMF’s billions

    Putin announces partial mobilization for Russians, threatens enemies

    ICC judges issue arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin

    US Commission slams India’s anti-conversion laws  

    US Commission slams India’s anti-conversion laws  

    Plastic bottles. tanvi sharma @exportersindia / Unsplash

    Could waste plastic become a useful fuel source?

  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Books
    • Gaming
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Series
    The Weeknd

    The Weeknd is the world’s most popular artist, Guinness World Records says

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Watch: Oscar winning song Naatu Naatu

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Indian song ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’ wins Oscar award for best song

    Naatu Naatu has millions of views on YouTube and is a viral sensation over social media

    Naatu Naatu: The RRR song primed for Oscar history

    Keanu Reeves

    11 of the best films to watch in March

    Netflix. Image credits - Souvik Banerjee @rswebsols / Unsplash

    Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries

    Backstreet Boys

    Backstreet Boys to perform in India after 13 years

    Roald Dahl books

    Roald Dahl books rewritten to remove language deemed offensive

    Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix appear in "Joker: Folie à Deux": Image credits - Warner Bros.

    Lady Gaga in first look of ‘Joker’ sequel

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Science
    • Travel
    Happy. Image credits - Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

    The world’s happiest countries for 2023

    Nepal. Image credits - Toomas Tartes / Unsplash

    Nepal bans solo trekkers throughout the country

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Air quality drops to ‘unhealthy’ level in Colombo

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Scientists discover enzyme that turns air into electricity, providing a new clean source of energy

    Toblerone chocolates

    Toblerone chocolates to lose “Swissness” criteria

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Significant increase of overweight and obese individuals in Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    Vistara airlines to resume operations to Sri Lanka

    International airlines suspend some US flights over 5G uncertainty

    Saying no to inflight meals can help our planet

    Sri Lanka

    Where are 2023s tourists to Sri Lanka coming from?

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Hazardous health: Jaffna’s growing waste crisis

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Mr. Robot
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Climate Change
    • Flat Earth
  • Tech
    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    WhatsApp for iOS gets text detection feature: What is it and how to use

    Nokia

    Nokia changes iconic logo to signal strategy shift

    Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner

    Selena Gomez dethrones Kylie Jenner on Instagram

    Facebook. Image credits - Solen Feyissa @solenfeyissa

    Facebook & Instagram to test monthly subscription service priced at $11.99

    Whatsapp. Image credits - AARN GIRI / Unsplash

    New features introduced in Whatsapp’s latest update

    Microsoft has announced a new version of Bing

    Microsoft unveils new Bing with ChatGPT powers

    Trending Tags

    • Sillicon Valley
    • Climate Change
    • Election Results
    • Flat Earth
    • Golden Globes
    • MotoGP 2017
    • Mr. Robot
  • Coronavirus
  • Videos
NewsIn.Asia
No Result
View All Result
Home Diplomacy

US official Alice Wells’ tour of South Asia in perspective

The period in which the visit is taking place is critical for the US as well the host governments in South Asia

Editor by Editor
January 13, 2020
in Diplomacy, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Top Story
Reading Time: 5 mins read
2 0
A A
Share on WhatsApp

By P.K.Balachandran/Daily Express

Colombo, January 12: The US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Alice Wells, will travel to Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, from January 13 to 22.

From January 13 to 14, she will be in Colombo to meet senior government officials and members of civil society to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, including shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific region that fosters “prosperity, democracy, justice, and human rights,” the US State Department said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wells will then be in India from January 15 to 18, to attend the “Raisina Dialogue” organized by a pro-government think tank, the Observer Research Foundation (ORF); meet senior government officials to advance the U.S.-India strategic global partnership following the success of the 2019 U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue; and discuss topics of mutual interest with members of the business community and civil society.

Finally, Wells will travel to Pakistan. From January 19 to22 she will meet with senior government officials and members of civil society to discuss issues of bilateral and regional concern.

Wells’ visits to these South Asian countries are taking place at a critical period for the US due to its stand-off with Iran and the fallout of that in the region. The period is critical also for all the counties she would be in. Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan are all undergoing key changes which could affect their relations with the US.

India

India, though seen as pro-US, has a complicated relationship with it. On the one hand, it is a strategic ally vis-à-vis the common rival, China. India is a key component of the US’ Indo-Pacific alliance against China and shares America’s fears about China’s designs in the Indian Ocean.

But on the other hand, India is not willing to be a partner in US moves against Iran and its plans in Afghanistan. India had earlier refused to commit Indian troops in Afghanistan to replace US troops. And even as the US is on the verge of a war against Iran, the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad  Zarif  will be the keynote speaker at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. Even as President Trump is going to impose fresh sanctions against Iran, New Delhi will be talking to Zarif about enhancing trade with Iran.

India-US bilateral trade has gone up from US$ 142 billion to US$ 160 billion recently. But issues relating to American visas for Indian techies, the sale of Indian manufacturers in the US and US entry into the Indian retail market continue to bedevil ties.

The anti-Muslim and American nationalistic Trump Administration has nothing to say about the Narendra Modi government’s controversial decisions on Kashmir and the citizenship question. But they these issues have irked the House of Representatives and the liberal media in the US. The American media is highlighting the anti-Modi agitations in India and lashing out at Modi’s policies.

Paul Staniland of the Chicago University notes that there are concerns among liberals in the US about the “unabashed embrace of power politics” by Modi and his cohorts, Amit Shah and Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar.

Ankit Panda of The Diplomat notes that in the US now “India’s economic performance and the BJP’s expenditure of domestic political capital on longstanding issues on the party’s social agenda have been negatively correlated: Gone are the days when India was as the world’s most promising large emerging economy.”

The anti-Citizenship Act agitations still on in India, will be keenly watched by Washington before it puts anymore eggs in the Modi regime’s basket.

Pakistan

When Alice Wells talks to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan she would get first-hand knowledge of Pakistan’s problems vis-à-vis the US.

These now relate to US designs against Iran. While the US would want Pakistan to join its campaign against Iran, Islamabad has told Washington clearly that it does not want to participate in the conflict in any form and would certainly not allow its  soil to be used against Iran. This is due to the bad experience of participating in the US war against the Soviets and the Taliban in Afghanistan when Pakistan was ruled by Gen.Zia-ul-Haq and thereafter too.

Pakistan also fears that if under economic pressure, it joins the US campaign vis-à-vis Iran, Iran could activate its Shiite Hazara militant outfit against Pakistan in the troubled border province of Balochistan where Pakistan is building a port with Chinese help in Gawadar.

Iran is wholly Shia, while Pakistan is predominantly Sunni. Thousands of Shi’ite protesters marched in several Pakistani cities to show solidarity with Iran while Shiite leaders in the country charged that Islamabad has already committed itself to the US. A fear expressed by some commentators is that an US war against Iran tacitly supported by the Sunni-dominated government in Islamabad, could trigger Shia-Sunni riots.

The Imran Khan regime is on the horns of dilemma now. On the one hand it knows that Pakistanis have a very negative view of the US especially after US Navy Seals surreptitiously invaded and killed their hero, Osama-bin-Laden, right at the doorstep of the Pakistani military Establishment. But on the other hand, the regime knows that it has to depend on the US and the IMF for rescuing its tottering, having failed to get much help from the Chinese.

Pakistan also wants to see that the US brings peace to Afghanistan through a deal with the Taliban and that it helps the Taliban gain power in Kabul unseating the pro-India Ashraf Ghani regime there.

Sri Lanka

The replacement of the pro-West Ranil Wickremesinghe regime by the nationalist Gotabaya Rajapaksa regime in Sri Lanka following the November 16 2019 Presidential election, has given cause for worry in Washington.

Firstly, there is concern about the alleged pro-China proclivity of the Rajapaksa brothers, namely, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Secondly, there is apprehension about the traditional anti-West proclivity of Sri Lankan nationalists. And the Rajapaksas are dyed-in-the-wool Lankan nationalists.

As one would expect, some nationalistic issues have arisen since the November 16 Presidential election. While the Americans tried to push for the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC-C), the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government is extremely reluctant to do so, as these pacts are disapproved either wholly or in part by nationalistic Sri Lankans who had whole-heartedly voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

SOFA is wholly rejected on the grounds that it would create a set of American nationals not subjected to Lankan civil or criminal law. Their  establishments too would not be under Lankan law.

But the MCC compact appears to be a different kettle of fish though only in part. Lankan nationalists are ready to accept the transport development part of the MCC scheme and this will take up 70% of the US$ 480 million grant. But they vehemently oppose the land development part of the compact on the grounds that it will make rural agricultural lands given to farmers on lease by the government, saleable to foreigners including Americans. US denial of any intention to buy off any such land has fallen on deaf ears.

According to informed forces, the Americans want the  MCC compact accepted or rejected in totality. But the Lankan government wants only the transport part of it. To resolve the issue, the government has appointed a committee of experts to examine the compact and report before the April 2020 parliamentary elections.

 

Related Posts

Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case
India

Rahul Gandhi gets two-year jail sentence in “Modi surname” case

March 23, 2023
Moon. Image credits - Ganapathy Kumar / Unsplash
Around South Asia

Ramadan fasting in Sri Lanka to commence on Friday

March 23, 2023
Rahul Gandhi
Around South Asia

Rahul Gandhi: Two-year jail for India’s Congress leader for defamation

March 23, 2023
Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?
Ethnicity

Will the renewed Sri Lankan bid to set up a Truth Commission bear fruit?

March 23, 2023
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Around South Asia

Supreme court lifts overseas travel bans imposed on Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa

March 22, 2023
Exchange Rate
Around South Asia

Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

March 22, 2023
  • Electricity

    Power cut schedule for today in Sri Lanka: Uninterrupted power supply

    60143 shares
    Share 24079 Tweet 15027
  • Registration open for National Fuel Pass

    6636 shares
    Share 2692 Tweet 1644
  • Foreign Currency Official Exchange Rates from Central Bank of Sri Lanka

    1776 shares
    Share 717 Tweet 441
  • WATCH : Yohani’s first live performance in India

    789 shares
    Share 328 Tweet 192
  • Power interruption schedule released: Check your area power cut time

    742 shares
    Share 320 Tweet 176
  • About Us
  • Advertisements
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

© 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Around South Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Bangladesh
    • Bhutan
    • China
    • India
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Nepal
    • Pakistan
    • Sri Lanka
  • Around The World
  • Breaking News
  • Business
    • Exchange
  • Climate Change
  • Governance
    • Crime
    • Diplomacy
    • Defense
    • Human Rights
    • Politics
    • Strategic Affairs
  • Lifestyle
    • Books
    • Entertainment
      • Arts
      • Cinema
      • Gaming
      • Music
      • Movie
      • Series
      • TV
    • Health
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
  • Culture
    • Ethnicity
    • Gender
  • Development news
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Coronavirus
  • History
  • National
  • Offbeat
    • Media
    • Music and arts across South Asia
  • Recommended
    • Headlines
    • Highlights
    • Top Picture
    • Top Story
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Cricket
      • LPL
      • IPL
    • Tennis
    • Formula 1
    • NBA
  • Tech
    • Instagram
  • United Nations
  • Weather
  • World
    • Japan
    • Russia
    • United States
  • Videos

© 2022 All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

eskisehir escort -

https://www.vudols.com/

- Sağlık Personeli - mersin escort - Antalya korsan taksi