US has stood with India as it faced Chinese aggression: White House official

Expressing concern over China’s increasing aggression across globe from Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea and along India-China border, a senior White House official said US has stood with New Delhi during its military standoff with Beijing.

Speaking on condition of anymity, official asserted that US President Donald Trump, during his presidency, has really strengned all aspects of US-India security and defence cooperation to build a comprehensive, enduring and mutually beneficial defence partnership.

“We have been very concerned with China's increasing aggression really across globe, wher it be Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea and of course along India-China border,” senior administration official from White House told PTI in an exclusive interview.

“We have stood with India as it faced this aggression along its border over last six-seven months. We provided equipment. We have been engd with India, shown our moral support for India to be able to stand up to Chinese and make sure that re's a peaceful resolution and de-escalation of situation,” said official.

armies of India and China are locked in a tense border standoff in eastern Ladakh since early May. Both sides have held multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks. However, breakthrough has been achieved yet.

During Trump administration, United States has become second largest arms supplier to India, growing from virtually sales a decade ago to more than USD 20 billion today, official said.

Earlier this year, US and India concluded USD 3 billion in defence sales for naval and attack helicopters. To bolster India's role as a net provider of security in Indo-Pacific, Trump administration has lifted restrictions on provision of sensitive defence techlogy, enabling India to become first country that's t a treaty ally of United States to be offered armed MQ-9 Reaper drones.

In support of India during its border standoff with China, United States has leased two MQ-9s to India while sale of MQ-9s is being finalised, said official.

US also expedited delivery of cold wear gear to support deployment of Indian military along Line of Actual Control (LAC) through winter, said senior administration official.

“In addition, we have concluded basic exchange and cooperation agreement, which is last of so-called key defence enabling agreements. I think this is really a historic achievement that clearly demonstrates progress in defence partnership,” said official.

Responding to a question, senior administration official said that US cut security aid and reimbursements to Pakistan in January 2018. re have been some exceptions, such as for things that are in US interest.

“Some mir exceptions. But suspension remains in effect. We continue to look to Pakistan to crack down on terrorists and militants on its territory. We've seen some progress on that front. But we certainly need to see more. We need to see a decisive crackdown, and sustained measures to rein in se terrorists and militant groups,” said official.

“We have received cooperation from Pakistan on Afghan peace process. We value cooperation that we have received from Pakistan. We continue to work with Pakistan and look to m to help when it comes to convincing Taliban to reduce violence, for example.

“We were glad to see that two sides are sitting down in Doha, and have been for last several months, but we are very troubled by high levels of Taliban violence that continues. So, we do look to Pakistan to help us move peace process forward. And right w, that means to see a reduction in violence from Taliban,” senior administration official added.

His remarks came as a high-level delegation of Afghan Taliban, led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Wednesday and discussed Afghan peace process, amid growing incidents of violence in war-torn country.

delegation is visiting Pakistan at a time when President Trump has ordered withdrawal of more American soldiers from Afghanistan, leaving around 2,500 troops behind in strife-torn country.

(Im Credit: PTI)