The Straits Times
Myanmar, multilateralism and the limits of Asean s diplomacy
The harsh reality is that there is no appropriate diplomatic tool that can resolve the situation in Myanmar. Asean should take care not to take on actions that are not in its interests or are beyond its capabilities.
Protesters rallying against the military coup on July 14 in Yangon. The situation in Myanmar today is not the same as Timor Leste two decades ago, and the writer hopes it will not become like Timor Leste. But he says the echoes of Timor Leste, however faint, should keep us alert to the possibility that others may have agendas that are not in accordance with their eloquent defences of democracy in Myanmar, and Asean should not be either lulled by their praises or goaded by their criticisms, nor mesmerised by our own rhetoric into taking hasty actions we may come to regret.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Highlights
Blinken is the 2nd Biden Administration official to visit Delhi this year, after United States Secretary of Defense, General (Retd.) Lloyd J. Austin.
This will also be his 4th meeting with EAM Jaishankar, after meetings in London, Washington, and Italy.
New Delhi: Ahead of US Secretary of state Antony J. Blinken s India visit, Washington has described India as a critical partner in the region with both countries having a shared interest in a stable and secure Afghanistan . Blinken will be in Delhi on 27th and 28th July, his first to the Indian capital since the new Biden administration took charge. In India, he will call on PM Narendra Modi and hold talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar.