US to discuss ‘rules-based global order’ with India

NEW DELHI: Top US diplomat Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon arrives here on Tuesday, close on the heels of Beijing’s successful move to scuttle India’s bid to enter the Nuclear Supplier’s Group. US is keen to discuss the growing ambitions of Xi Jinping-led China in the backdrop of the recent events.

On his maiden visit to India as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Shannon and his Indian interlocutors in Delhi hope to discuss efforts to maintain ‘rules-based global order’ and regional stability amid China’s territorial claims and militarisation of South China Sea (SCS) region that has thrown the biggest challenge to global order in recent times, people familiar with the developments hinted.

“While in New Delhi, the Under Secretary will meet government leaders to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues in support of the joint US-India efforts to sustain the rules-based global order, he will visit the Indian Foreign Service Institute to deliver remarks and meet with Indian diplomats,” according to a US State Department press release.

Discussions between Delhi and Washington on ‘rules-based global order’ is significant ahead of the verdict by Hague-based UN tribunal in the China vs Philippine case in SCS region. While some reports said that the verdict is expected next week, other reports said that it could be delayed to September after the G-20 Summit that China is hosting.

While the USA has responded to China’s moves in SCS by sending warships to hedge Beijing, India has been more cautious voicing its concerns over the Freedom of Navigation through SCS and peaceful resolution of the territorial disputes based on global norms. SCS is a key gateway for India's trade and strategic interests in the ASEAN and the Pacific region. Last month, India faced China’s wrath when their navy ships were passing through the SCS for Malabar exercise with the USA and Japan in the Western Pacific.

During Modi’s recent trip to the US, the two sides called for stability in the Asia-Pacific region without direct reference to the SCS.

It may be recalled that India and the USA have issued a joint vision document for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region during President Barack Obama’s trip here in January last year. Meanwhile, China has intensified efforts to gather international support for its position on SCS, including those from faraway places such as Africa.

Under Secretary Shannon will also travel to Kolkata where he will meet government officials and chair a roundtable discussion with journalists at the American Center and visit several local cultural sites.