Saudi Gazette report

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to travel to India and Kuwait on a four-day visit, beginning on Monday (July 26), Ned Price, the spokesman of the US Department of State, said in a press statement on Friday.

Blinken’s visit seeks to reaffirm the US “commitment to strengthening it partnerships and underscore cooperation on shared priorities”.

“In New Delhi on July 28, Secretary Blinken will meet with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a wide range of issues including continued cooperation on COVID-19 response efforts, Indo-Pacific engagement, shared regional security interests, shared democratic values, and addressing the climate crisis,” according to the statement.

“Secretary Blinken will travel on July 28 to Kuwait City where he will meet with senior Kuwaiti officials to continue discussions of key bilateral issues that underscore the importance of our 60 years of diplomatic ties,” the statement added.

The US secretary of state tweeted about his upcoming visit, saying: “On July 26, I'll depart for New Delhi, India & Kuwait City, Kuwait. This trip will underscore the importance of our cooperation on topics like COVID-19 response efforts, shared security interests, and the climate crisis. I look forward to strengthening our important partnerships.”

Commenting on the US secretary of state scheduled visit, the Indian foreign ministry said that Blinken will visit India on July 27 and July 28, on his first visit to the South Asian country after assuming charge as US secretary of state.

According to the Indian ministry, the US secretary of state will meet Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.