The US Secretary, Mike Pompeo, presses Sri Lanka to make careful decisions concerning China.
The news comes as Pompeo will be visiting India, Colombo, Male, and Jakarta in the last week of October, representing the US.
A visit to Asia from the US
During his Asia excursion from October 25 to 30, State Department Secretary Michael Pompeo will press the Sri Lankan officials to decide its relationship with China.
Consequently, they want the nation to analyze the United States‘ options. The option is for direct and sustainable economic development, an executive said.
In Asia next week, Pompeo expected to bolster allies against China https://t.co/rCvdm7aRBZ by @SanjeevMiglani
— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) October 23, 2020
“Right now, we believe [Sri Lanka is] at a position to make some decisions about where they head.”
Dean Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary on Thursday, said so while responding to Sri Lanka’s developing bond with China.
From the US to Sri Lanka
“This is in the concern of establishing our longstanding alliance with Sri Lanka and strengthening our long-term responsibility to the region.”
“We urge Sri Lanka to review the opportunities we offer for transparent and sustainable economic expansion in opposition to unfair and opaque methods,” he said.
Thompson stated that the US urged Sri Lanka to make crucial decisions to ensure its economic freedom for long-term victory.
“We press Sri Lanka to make hard but necessary resolutions to secure its economic freedom for long-term victory.”
“Also, we hold ready to associate with Sri Lanka for its industrial development and maturity,” he further said.
The talks
Pompeo will have two-way talks in Colombo on October 28, a representative for Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry announced but gave no particulars.
Two people close with arrangements for the visit said Pompeo would possibly stop in the Maldives’ center of Male for some hours on the very day.
“Incoming talks of official foreign delegations will be declared by us. You can look forward to it once delegations confirm their schedule,” the Maldives’ foreign ministry said in a report.
A prior visit to Sri Lanka by China
China’s head diplomat, Yang Jiechi, came to Colombo this month. Beijing has frequently provided financing and construction for significant fronts for Sri Lanka and the Maldives in current years.
This move on China’s part led to a disturbing traditional regional power in India.
Last week, an Indian administration source said Pompeo was also set to come to New Delhi this month and Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
These visits will also lead to talks with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
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