{"id":12404,"date":"2023-11-09T03:33:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T03:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenftimes.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/09\/india-a-key-strategic-partner-says-white-house-ahead-of-22-dialogue-n-f-times\/"},"modified":"2023-11-09T03:33:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T03:33:57","slug":"india-a-key-strategic-partner-says-white-house-ahead-of-22-dialogue-n-f-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thenftimes.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/09\/india-a-key-strategic-partner-says-white-house-ahead-of-22-dialogue-n-f-times\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIndia a key strategic partner,\u201d says White House ahead of 2+2 Dialogue – N.F Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Washington DC: The White House has called India a key strategic partner and said the US will leave it to the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to decide the country\u2019s stance on any particular crisis or contingency around the world.<\/p>\n

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said was speaking about India\u2019s stand on the Israel crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndia is a key strategic partner. And I think you saw that on full display when Prime Minister Modi was here,\u201d John Kirby said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIndia a key strategic partner,\u201d says White House ahead of 2+2 Dialogue<\/p>\n

Read @ANI<\/a> Story | https:\/\/t.co\/BmhaKEoFQH#India<\/a> #WhiteHouse<\/a> #US<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LMr4HyIW0i<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ANI Digital (@ani_digital) November 9, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll leave it to the Indian government and the Prime Minister to decide, what their stance is gonna be on any particular crisis or contingency around the world, to include the Middle East, but they remain a key strategic partner, and we\u2019re dedicated to advancing that partnership, every single day,\u201d Kirby said.<\/p>\n

This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow to participate in the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.<\/p>\n

The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit held every year since 2018, with the Minister of External Affairs and the Defence Minister representing India and the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence representing the United States.<\/p>\n

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US State Secretary Antony Blinken to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow for 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue<\/p>\n

Read @ANI<\/a> Story | https:\/\/t.co\/y7GiIBa5np#US<\/a> #AntonyBlinken<\/a> #Delhi<\/a> #MinisterialDialogue<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TdfQrpQAqk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ANI Digital (@ani_digital) November 9, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The discussions centre on common issues of concern between the two countries.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, terming India a crucial \u201cmoral voice\u201d across the world, Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon recently urged New Delhi to designate Hamas as a terror organisation in India as well.<\/p>\n

He stated that both India and Israel have a \u201cshared war\u201d against terror and counter-terrorism is one of the areas where the countries align.<\/p>\n

Speaking during a press briefing, Gilon said, \u201cPrime Minister Modi Ji was among the first leaders in the world to come out with a clear statement\u2026this was before we had understood the full magnitude of what had happened\u2026I think, that set a very strong tone of clear condemnation of terrorism. It\u2019s important to us because India is a very close ally\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndia is also a very important moral voice in the world and when it comes to terror, India is also coming from the point of view of someone who knows what they\u2019re talking about being victims for so many years of terrorism,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Gilon cited several countries that have designated Hamas as a terror group
\u201cI think that it\u2019s also time to officially designate Hamas as a terror organization also in India. Most of the democracies, the EU, US, Canada, and Australia, I believe have already done this, and I think it\u2019s good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Israeli envoy further said that Israel has spoken with relevant authorities in India and the two countries are having dialogue on the issue.<\/p>\n

Earlier, India said it sees the attack by Hamas on Israel as \u201ca terrorist attack\u201d and that it has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine that lives side by side at peace with Israel.<\/p>\n

Replying to questions during the weekly media briefing regarding the situation concerning the Israel-Hamas war, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said there is a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law and the need to fight terrorism.<\/p>\n

\u201cDesignation of terrorist organisation under Indian law is a legal matter. I would refer you to the relevant authorities. I think we have been very clear that we see this as a terrorist attack. On designation part (concerned) authorities are best placed to respond to it,\u201d Bagchi said answering queries about Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n