India and the United States are bound together by “shared democratic values” and “free citizenry” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his first official visit to India which came in the backdrop of increasing concern about shrinking space for civil society and regional security challenges like Afghanistan and China. Blinken met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and discussed cooperation in Afghanistan, the Covid-19, and the Indo-Pacific strategy and Quad. 

“There is a greater imperative than ever on cooperation, coordination, collaboration among countries, especially among countries who share basic perspectives, basic values, and basic interests,” said Blinken in a veiled reference to China. Significantly, he also met representatives of the large Tibetan community in India, which would not be to the liking of Beijing. 

Blinken’s comment also drew a sharp response from China that has been facing pushback from western countries over usurping of democratic rights in Hong Kong. 

Blinken stressed that Quad wasn’t a military alliance. In an indirect reference to Chinese apprehensions about the motives of the Quad alliance, Jaishankar said, “the people need to get over the idea that somehow other countries doing things is directed to them.” 

On the issue of Afghanistan, there is a convergence of interests of both the US and India for a negotiated settlement of the conflict and protection of gains of the last two decades. 

"As a leader and critical partner in the region, India has made and will continue to make vital contributions to Afghanistan's stability and development, and we'll continue to work together to sustain the gains of the Afghan people and support regional stability after the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country," Blinken said.

Blinken said both sides "largely" see Afghanistan in the same light.

"There has to be a peaceful resolution which requires the Taliban and the Afghan government to come to the table, and we both agree, I think strongly, that any future government in Afghanistan has to be inclusive and fully representative of the Afghan people," Blinken said. "But ultimately, this has to be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process that we will all support," he said.

"The world wishes to see an independent, sovereign, democratic and stable Afghanistan at peace with itself and with its neighbors but its independence and sovereignty will only be ensured if it is free from malign influences," Jaishankar said. 

Counter-terrorism concern is also looming large as the Taliban has not severed its ties with al-Qaeda and other Pakistan-based anti-India terror groups. Collective efforts needed to ensure that country would not become home to terrorists once again, said Jaishankar. 

The Taliban's growing violence against civilians is increasing anxieties among western countries, including the US, which had sought to legitimize the Taliban - and perhaps moderate its sharp stances - through the Doha deal.

Taking a tough line, Blinken said, “The Taliban says that it seeks international recognition, that it wants international support for Afghanistan. Presumably, it wants its leaders to be able to travel freely in the world, sanctions lifted. Taking over the country by force would not achieve those goals.” He said, if Taliban does not abide by universal rules and values, it risks becoming a "pariah state".

“India has been a major stakeholder in the peace and stability of Afghanistan. It has already invested nearly USD three billion in aid and reconstruction activities in the country,” the press release by the US State Department noted.

Both Blinken and PM Modi also discussed efforts to deepen the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, to which both countries are their leaders are deeply committed. 

On the issue of the human rights situation in India, which is a prickly issue with the Modi government, but something civil society groups in both countries have been pressurizing the Biden administration to take up with the Modi government, Blinken, in public, walked a very fine and balanced line. 

He said every democracy, starting with its own, “is a work in progress. When we discussed these issues, I certainly do it from a point of humility. We have seen challenges our own democracy faced and faces today. This is a sense to all democracy.  

Blinken was the third senior member of the Biden administration to visit India this year, It is Blinken's first visit to India after assuming charge as the Secretary of State and the third by a high-ranking Biden administration official after it came to power in January. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited India in March while Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry traveled to New Delhi in April. (SAM)