WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi spoke by phone on Thursday, discussing topics including the politicalcrisis in the Maldives, the War in Afghanistan , and the plight of Rohingyarefugees from Myanmar, the White House said.
The Trump administration has launched an effort to deepen military andeconomic ties with India as a way to balance China’s assertive postureacross Asia.
The Maldives — best known for luxury tourist resorts — has become anotherarena of a contest for India and China after it signed up to Beijing’s Beltand Road initiative to build trade and transport links across Asia andbeyond.
The embattled president of the Indian Ocean nation has sent envoys tofriendly nations such as China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to brief them ona political crisis that spurred the imposition of a state of emergency.
link>Trump link> and link>Modilink> “expressedconcern about the political crisis in the Maldives and the importance ofrespect for democratic institutions and rule of law”, the White House saidin a statement. They repeated their commitment to Afghanistan’s security,the statement added.
Washington recently cut aid to Pakistan — India’s nuclear-armed neighbourand arch-rival — over accusations that it failed to root out Taliban andHaqqani network militants that have contributed to the long-running warlink> in link>Afghanistan link> .
India has increased aid to link>Afghanistan link> in recent years andpromised in 2016 to ship more arms, aggravating fears in Pakistan it willbecome wedged between two hostile nations.
The two leaders also addressed the plight of more than 680,000 MuslimRohingya who have fled Myanmar since last year to Bangladesh after theMyanmar military cracked down in northern Rakhine State, amid witnessreports of killings, looting, and rape, in response to militant attacks onsecurity forces.
link>Trump link> and link>Modilink> alsoaddressed North Korea, the White House said.
Washington has been leading diplomatic efforts to ramp up internationalpressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons and missile programs, out ofconcern they may eventually enable North Korea to attack the US.
Although India and North Korea maintain diplomatic offices in each other’scapitals, New Delhi has banned the trade of most goods with the country,except for food and medicine.
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj met with US Secretary of State RexTillerson in October in New Delhi and defended India’s ties with Pyongyang,saying some level of diplomatic ties are necessary. – Agencies