Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday the recent clashes ‘initiated’ by the Chinese military against India in eastern Ladakh are the latest examples of the ‘unacceptable behaviour’ of ruling Chinese Communist Party. Mike Pompeo also praised India’s decision to ban 59 Chinese apps, including ‘TikTok’, which he said are ‘security risks’ to the Indian people.
“It’s important that democracies like ours work together, especially as we see more clear than ever the true scope of the challenge posed by the Chinese communist party,” Pompeo said.
“Our infrastructure projects, our supply chains, our sovereignty, and our people’s health and safety are all at risk. If we get it wrong,” Pompeo said in his virtual keynote address to the annual ‘India Ideas Summit’ of the US India Business Council.
“The recent clashes initiated by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are just the latest examples of the Chinese Communist Party’s unacceptable behaviour. We were deeply saddened by the deaths of 20 Indian service members. I’m confident that with our concerted efforts, we can protect our interests,” added Pompeo.
The troops of India and China are locked in a standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated last month following the Galwan Valley clashes that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead.
Pompeo commended India’s recent decision to ban 59 Chinese mobile apps, including ‘TikTok’ that present serious security risks for the Indian people. He said he was happy to report that India is a ‘rising US defence and security partner, in the Indo-Pacific and globally’.
Asserting that the United States has never been more supportive of India’s a security, he said New Delhi too, is an important partner and a key pillar of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
“We work closely together to make sure that the world intellectual property organisation election was won by someone who respects property rights. It seems pretty basic,” asserted Pompeo. He also noted that the so-called quad compile comprised that the US, India, Japan and Australia has been revived. “India is also part of a group of like-minded nations that I’ve convened regularly to advance shared interests,” he informed.
Pompeo also noted that the US has also invited Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to the next G-7 (summit), where the leaders will advance the economic prosperity network.
Pompeo said India has a chance to attract global supply chains away from China and reduce its reliance on Chinese companies in telecommunications, medical supplies and others.
“India is in this position because it has earned the trust of many nations around the world, including the United States,” he said.