Antony Blinken discusses China, Afghan & Iran with UK counterpart Elizabeth Truss

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Elizabeth Truss, UK's newly-appointed Foreign Secretary on September 17 and discussed many pertinent subjects, including Afghanistan, China, and Iran. This information was provided by State Department spokesman Ned Price. Blinken congratulated Truss on his appointment and emphasised importance of bilateral partnership between United States and United Kingdom.

According to Ned Price, two leers also discussed foreign policy issues concerning Afghanistan, People's Republic of China, Iran, and multilateral climate cooperation. conversation comes as US President Joe Biden and leers of two or countries unveiled newly created Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) Defense Partnership Agreement, which focuses on Indo-Pacific, on Wednesday.

Experts believe re is a method to offset China's escalating military assertiveness in region without directly confronting it. Indo-Pacific region, which includes Indian Ocean and South China Sea, is viewed primarily as a portion of western and central Pacific Ocean. China's territorial claims in South China Sea have also been contested, as have its aspirations to expand into Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, Pentagon apologises for Kabul drone strike, calls it ‘Tragic’

On a recent development, Pentagon confessed that it me a grave mistake in a drone operation in Afghanistan last month that killed a large number of civilians. Pentagon said that a review revealed that only civilians, t Islamic State terrorists, were killed in attack. According to article, US Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie stated at a Pentagon press conference that bombing was a mistake. For several days w, Pentagon officials h been defending strike on August 28. Despite fact that ten civilians, including seven children, were killed in this strike, it was claimed that it was carried out correctly.

Blinken’s stand on Pakistan

Earlier on September 13, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken h said that US will examine its relationship with Pakistan in coming weeks to determine what role it should play in future of Afghanistan. Blinken told House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that Pakistan has a "multiplicity of interests, some of which conflict with ours," in first public hearing on Afghanistan since collapse of US-backed Afghan government last month.

(With inputs from ANI)

Im: AP