INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
WASHINGTON: The US is deeply concerned that the loans being provided by China to Indias immediate neighbourhood - Pakistan and Sri Lanka -
may be utilized for coercive take advantage of, a senior State Department authorities has actually stated
Concerning Chinese loans to countries in Indias instant area, we are deeply concerned that loans might be utilized for coercive leverage,
Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told press reporters ahead of the India trip of Secretary of State
The leading American diplomat is taking a trip to New Delhi on a three-day main visit from March 1 to 3
Lu said that the US is talking countries in the area consisting of India to take their own decisions and not feel forced by any outside
We are talking to India, speaking to countries of the region about how we help countries to make their own decisions and not choices that
may be obliged by any outside partner, including China, Lu stated
Earlier in the day, Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the Board of China Development Bank (CDB) has approved a USD 700
million credit center to the nation
Responding to a concern Lu said that there has actually been a major discussion between India and the United States on the issue of China
We have had serious conversations about China, both before the most recent scandal over this monitoring balloon however in the
I totally expect those conversations will continue, he stated
Lu, in action to a concern, insisted that Quad is not a military alliance
The Quad is not, in fact, an organisation that protests any single country or group of nations
The Quad represents attempting to promote activities and values that support the Indo-Pacific - free and open Indo-Pacific, however
Indo-Pacific thats prosperous and supports the values that we as these 4 countries represent, he stated
When asked about Indias military relationship with Russia, he stated internationally Russia is having a really difficult time satisfying
orders for military contracts
We see plenty of proof of that all over the world
And if you look at press reporting, I believe you can see the Indians are also questioning whether Russia will be able to offer its
Lu strongly refuted the allegations that India prevents using war when it pertains to Russia
India utilizes the word war all the time, he asserted
You heard Prime Minister Modi state, in August, now is not the age for war
You heard External Affairs Minister Jaishankar state in September, at the UN, that we need this war to end through diplomatic methods and
along the concepts of the UN Charter, enhancing territorial integrity and sovereignty, he stated
And then, in November you heard the Indian Defense Minister say the threat to use nuclear weapons by Russia is completely undesirable and
at chances with the basic tenets of humanity
I dont especially see a hesitation to use the word war
I believe they utilize everything the time, Lu said.
