US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated Washington's concerns over Russia's cooperation with North Korea, Iran and China in the midst of its war in Ukraine, stressing it is "not good for your reputation" to work closely with Moscow.
Blinken made the remarks as concerns have persisted over both regional and global security implications of a growing military alignment between Pyongyang and Moscow, and Beijing's purported support for Russia's defence industrial base, Yonhap news agency reported.
"Now it's also true that the Russians have found workarounds, and particularly in their relationship with North Korea (and) with Iran," Blinken said in his remarks during a forum hosted by the Aspen Strategy Group.
"And unfortunately with China, they have found ways to keep the defence industrial base moving so that they can continue to prosecute the aggression against Ukraine," he added.
Commenting on Russia's deepening ties with North Korea, Iran and China, the secretary said that the move is something that has been "in the works for a long time", and might have accelerated as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Blinken highlighted a reputation issue associated with backing Russia's war effort, while touting a large international coalition in support of Ukraine's efforts for its defence and territorial integrity.
"It's not particularly good for your reputation to be working closely with Russia ... So, I think China is very uncomfortable in the position it's in," he said.
In addition, he underscored deepening cooperation among the US and its European and Indo-Pacific partners in the thick of Russia's war in Ukraine, calling it "remarkable".
"We built convergence across the Atlantic, we built it across the Pacific, and we built it between the Atlantic and Pacific," he said. "So, I would take our teams and countries that we've been working with than anything that Russia has been able to put together."
Blinken warned that China cannot say it wants better relations with Europe "when it is actually helping to fuel the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War".
No Pakistani national in Tripura, says CM Manik Saha
The Chief Minister’s remarks came in response to the Central government's recent directive to all states and Union Territories to identify and deport Pakistani citizens following the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
India shuts airspace for all Pakistan-operated flights till May 23
In a significant development, India on Wednesday announced to shut its airspace for Pakistan-owned and operated flights till May 23 (estimated), days after Islamabad decided to shut its airspace to all flights owned and operated by the Indian carriers.
Tripura’s unemployment rate dropped after BJP came to power: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the unemployment rate in the state has significantly decreased during the past seven years after the BJP came to power in 2018.
Travesty of justice: Bangladesh SC stays High Court order granting bail to Chinmoy Das
The Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court on Wednesday evening stayed the High Court order given earlier in the day granting bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, or Chandan Kumar Dhar, the former ISKCON monk and spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote in a sedition case.
Right step: Kharge welcomes govt’s move on caste census, demands budget allocation
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday welcomed the Central government’s decision to conduct a caste-based census, calling it a long-pending demand of the Opposition and a crucial step towards ensuring social justice.
Goyal holds talks in Oslo to strengthen India-Norway trade & investment ties
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held separate meetings here, on Wednesday, with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and the Scandinavian country’s Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth to discuss the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
21 MLAs urged PM, HM to reinstate govt in Manipur bypassing Guv: Congress
The Opposition Congress on Wednesday slammed 21 MLAs of Manipur for bypassing the state Governor and writing letters to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, urging them to reinstate a popular government in the state.
Caste count goes official: BJP seizes agenda; INDIA bloc faces strategic recalibration
In a landmark decision with far-reaching social and political implications, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the upcoming national Census.