Latest news with #USSenateForeignRelationsCommittee
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Democrats report says US ceding global influence to China
US- China flags China is increasing its diplomatic reach as the Trump administration pares back America's international presence, Democrats from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report Monday. The report was released as the administration makes deep cuts to the state department, including beginning Friday to fire more than 1,350 US-based employees. The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid. The 91-page report listed ways, from broadcasting to health programmes, that researchers said China is expanding its influence. "China is pursuing a clear vision for the international order while the Trump administration seeks to diminish America's engagement globally. " WH spokeswoman Anna Kelly said: "Under President Trump, America is strong again, and his foreign policy is effective because of his willingness to look anyone in the eye to get better deals for American people." Reuters & NYT
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says
FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bidding farewell to President of China Xi Jinping at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in April, 2025. In South-East Asia, Xi's recent trip yielded an agreement in Vietnam for railroad connections, 37 cooperation agreements in Cambodia in sectors including energy, education and infrastructure and technical and manufacturing exchanges in Malaysia. - Photo courtesy of Anwar's Facebook page WASHINGTON: China is increasing its diplomatic reach as President Donald Trump's administration pares back America's international presence, Democrats from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on Monday (July 14). The report, the result of months of staff travel and research, was released as the Trump administration makes deep cuts to the State Department, including beginning on Friday to fire more than 1,350 US-based employees, part of a total reduction of nearly 3,000 people for the US-based workforce. The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the US Agency for International Development, which funded the majority of US humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. That led to the firing of thousands of its employees and contractors and the slashing of more than 80 per cent of its programmes. Critics said the cuts would undermine Washington's ability to defend and promote US interests abroad. Research published in The Lancet medical journal said the cuts to USAID and its dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. "Within days of the Trump administration taking office and starting to roll back our commitments around the world, China was already labeling the United States an unreliable partner," Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top committee Democrat, told reporters on a conference call about the report. "At a time when we're retreating, they are expanding their footprint," she said. The Trump administration says its changes help align foreign policy with Trump's "America First" agenda, and are part of a push to shrink the federal bureaucracy and cut what Trump officials say has been wasteful spending. Trump has said the US pays disproportionately for foreign aid and he wants other countries to shoulder more of the burden. The Democrats' 91-page report listed ways, from broadcasting to health programmes and development efforts, that committee researchers said China is expanding its influence. It lists dozens of cases in which the committee researchers found that China had stepped in as the US eliminated or cut back international programmes, from funding vaccines and providing food to infrastructure development. For example, in Africa, as the US terminated food assistance programmes, China in March donated US$2 million in rice to Uganda. In May, after the US terminated a US$37 million HIV/AIDS grant in Zambia, China said it would help the African nation fight HIV/AIDS, including by donating 500,000 rapid HIV testing kits and planning more meetings to discuss its continued partnership on the issue. In South-East Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a tour to meet with leaders in Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, the report said. The trip yielded an agreement in Vietnam for railroad connections, 37 cooperation agreements in Cambodia in sectors including energy, education and infrastructure and technical and manufacturing exchanges in Malaysia. And in Latin America, China in May hosted the "China-Latin American and the Caribbean Forum" and announced it would provide a US$9 billion credit line and additional infrastructure investments for the region. - Reuters
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
China steps in as US pulls back from diplomacy, report says, World News
WASHINGTON — China is increasing its diplomatic reach as President Donald Trump's administration pares back America's international presence, Democrats from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said in a report released on Monday (July 14). The report, the result of months of staff travel and research, was released as the Trump administration makes deep cuts to the State Department, including beginning on Friday to fire more than 1,350 US-based employees, part of a total reduction of nearly 3,000 people for the US-based workforce. The administration has also cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, effectively shutting down the US Agency for International Development, which funded the majority of US humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. That led to the firing of thousands of its employees and contractors and the slashing of more than 80 per cent of its programs. Critics said the cuts would undermine Washington's ability to defend and promote US interests abroad. Research published in The Lancet medical journal said the cuts to USAID and its dismantling could result in more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030. "Within days of the Trump administration taking office and starting to roll back our commitments around the world, China was already labeling the United States an unreliable partner," Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top committee Democrat, told reporters on a conference call about the report. "At a time when we're retreating, they are expanding their footprint," she said. The Trump administration says its changes help align foreign policy with Trump's "America First" agenda, and are part of a push to shrink the federal bureaucracy and cut what Trump officials say has been wasteful spending. Trump has said the US pays disproportionately for foreign aid and he wants other countries to shoulder more of the burden. The Democrats' 91-page report listed ways, from broadcasting to health programs and development efforts, that committee researchers said China is expanding its influence. It lists dozens of cases in which the committee researchers found that China had stepped in as the US eliminated or cut back international programs, from funding vaccines and providing food to infrastructure development. For example, in Africa, as the US terminated food assistance programs, China in March donated US$2 million (S$3 million) in rice to Uganda. In May, after the US terminated a $37 million HIV/AIDS grant in Zambia, China said it would help the African nation fight HIV/AIDS, including by donating 500,000 rapid HIV testing kits and planning more meetings to discuss its continued partnership on the issue. In Southeast Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a tour to meet with leaders in Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, the report said. The trip yielded an agreement in Vietnam for railroad connections, 37 co-operation agreements in Cambodia in sectors including energy, education and infrastructure and technical and manufacturing exchanges in Malaysia. And in Latin America, China in May hosted the "China-Latin American and the Caribbean Forum" and announced it would provide a $9 billion credit line and additional infrastructure investments for the region. [[nid:717864]]
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
US: All-party delegation attends Ambassador's Dinner, holds constructive discussions with Senator Chris Van Hollen
Washington DC [US], June 7 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor attended the Ambassador's dinner while in US and also met Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In a post on X, Former Envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, 'Delighted to meet so many old friends and supporters of India-US partnership at Ambassador's dinner.' Sharing insights from the meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said that discussions were held on Operation Sindoor and the tragic Pahalgam terror attack. He wrote on X, 'Had a productive meeting with Senator @ChrisVanHollen, where we discussed the tragic Pahalgam attack and India's Operation Sindoor. The Senator expressed deep sympathy for India and reaffirmed that the U.S. stands firmly with India in the fight against terrorism.' The details of the meeting were previously furnished by the Embassy of India in the US. The Embassy wrote on X, 'The Indian parliamentary delegation led by Dr. @ShashiTharoor had a productive meeting with Senator @ChrisVanHollen, member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms. The Senator sympathized with the victims of repeated terror attacks in India, said that stands with in the fight against terrorism, and expressed support for India's right to defend itself.' Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is leading the all-party delegation which includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from the BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. This diplomatic effort forms part of India's global outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored militants that claimed 26 lives and injured several others. Subsequently, the Indian Armed Forces carried out targeted strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Session at National press club spanned wide range of issues related to Operation Sindoor": All-Party Delegation leader Tharoor
Washington DC [US], June 7 (ANI): All-Party Delegation Leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday (local time) said the session in which he took part at the National Press Club in Washington spanned a wide range of issues related to Operation Sindoor and India's actions against terrorism. 'A lively session with Washington-based media at the National Press Club, moderated by its Indian-American Treasurer Poonam Sharma, spanned a wide range of issues related to Operation Sindoor and India's actions against terrorism,' his post on X said. Tharoor also held a telephone conversation with Senator Cory Booker, Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and and briefed him on the monstrous terror attack in Pahalgam. In a post on X, he said, 'Enjoyed a warm & productive telephone conversation with Senator Cory Booker, Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last night. and briefed him on the monstrous terror attack in Pahalgam. Outlined the repeated provocations of terrorism emanating from across the border, laid out the details of Operation Sindoor, and emphasized India's firm resolve in countering any future acts of terrorism. Senator Booker unequivocally condemned terrorism and expressed sympathies with the victims. The conversation also touched upon broader themes in the strategic partnership, which enjoys robust support. Next time in person, Booker!' he stated. The delegation also held a conversation with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the US said, 'The All Party Parliamentary delegation led by Shashi Tharoor had a warm and candid conversation with US Deputy Secretary of State today. The Indian Delegation briefed him on the atrocities of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.' They also met Chris Van Hollen, a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In a post on X, the Embassy said, 'The Indian parliamentary delegation led by Dr Shashi Tharoor had a productive meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen, member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The delegation briefed him on the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, discussed India's subsequent Operation Sindoor, and put forth India's firm resolve to counter cross-border terrorism in all its forms. The Senator sympathized with the victims of repeated terror attacks in India, said that the US stands with India in the fight against terrorism, and expressed support for India's right to defend itself.' Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is leading the all-party delegation which includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, and Bhubaneswar Kalita (all from the BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora. (ANI)
