Washington: A senior State Department official has said that the US is deeply concerned that China’s loans to India’s immediate neighbors Pakistan and Sri Lanka could be used for coercion.
Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told reporters ahead of Foreign Minister Antony’s visit to India, “With regard to Chinese loans to countries adjacent to India, we are very concerned that the loans are being used for coercion.” can be taken for.” Blinken.
The top US diplomat is visiting New Delhi on a three-day official visit from March 1 to March 3.
Lu said the US is talking to countries in the region to make their own decisions and not feel coerced by any external partner.
“We are talking to India, talking to countries in the region about how we help countries make their own decisions and not decisions that can be forced by an external partner, including China,” Lu said. ”
Earlier on Friday, Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar announced that the board of the China Development Bank (CDB) has approved a USD 700 million credit facility to the country.
In response to a question, Lu said that there has been a serious discussion between India and America on the issue of China.
“We’ve had serious conversations about China before and after this latest scandal over this surveillance balloon. So, I have every hope that those conversations will continue,” he said.
Responding to a question, Lu insisted that the Quad is not a military alliance.
“The Quad is not, in fact, an organization that is against any one country or group of countries. The Quad seeks to promote activities and values that support the Indo-Pacific, free and open Indo-Pacific , but the Indo-Pacific it enriches and supports the values that we represent as these four countries.”
When asked about India’s military ties with Russia, he said that globally Russia is having a really tough time fulfilling orders for military contracts.
Lu said, “We see a lot of evidence of this around the world. And if you look at the press reporting, I think you can see that even Indians are wondering whether Russia will be able to provide its security.” ”
Lu strongly denied the allegations that India refrains from using war when it comes to Russia.
“India uses the word ‘war’ all the time,” he insisted.
You heard Prime Minister Modi saying in August, now is not the era of war. Charter, strengthening territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.
“And then, in November you heard the Indian Defense Minister say that the threat of Russia using nuclear weapons is totally unacceptable and contrary to the basic principles of humanity. Therefore, I specifically use the word ‘war’ Don’t see any reluctance to use. I think they use it all the time,” Lu said.