India strongly raises with USA student issue; discuss China in Indo-Pacific region

India on Tuesday strongly raised with the USA the issue of 200,000 students who could be affected by Washington’s decision over online classes in American institutes of higher learning.

The issue was raised during Indo-US Foreign Office consultations conducted through video-conferencing.

ET has reliably gathered that India is upset with latest news release from the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regarding visa for students taking online classes during COVID-19.


Sources told ET that Delhi is disappointed, as the decision potentially forces a large number of the 200,000 -plus Indian students in the U.S. to leave the country without notice, adding to the already high uncertainty.

India has urged USA to adopt flexibility in implementing guidelines so that the Indian students in the U.S., who are important pillars in bilateral relations, are not unduly inconvenienced.

Sources said that the US side responded that they are still awaiting implementation guidelines from DHS, and that they will keep the best interests of the students in mind.

CHINA:
India and USA on Tuesday discussed the role of China’s belligerence in the Indo-Pacific region a day after White House stated that the US military "will continue to stand strong" in a conflict between India and China or anywhere else. This comes amid disengagement along the LAC. Ahead of disengagement the USA had backed India.

The Foreign Office consultations covered all issues, bilateral and international including China, Afghanistan and cooperation in UN including Security Council. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale held virtual Foreign Office Consultations.

Shringla and Hale exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of shared interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to work towards ensuring a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific

The USA side was keen on cooperation in the health sector including pharmaceuticals and vaccine development. The 2+2 Ministerial will be hosted by India later this year.