US pledges $300mn for security cooperation in Indo-Pacific
Singapore, Aug 4 : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday announced a new $300 million fund for security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where Washington and Beijing are competing for influence.
"As part of our commitment to advancing regional security in the Indo-Pacific, the US is excited to announce $300 million of new funding to reinforce security cooperation throughout the entire region," Pompeo told a press briefing on the sidelines of a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Singapore.
The new security assistance is designed for maritime security, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping capabilities, and countering transnational threats, Efe news reported.
"This new security assistance will advance our priorities, especially strengthening maritime security, developing humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping capabilities," Pompeo said.
Earlier this week, the US said it will invest $113 million in technology, energy and infrastructure initiatives.
The top US official said that he discussed Chinese militarisation of the South China Sea and the importance of a rules-based order in the region with the Asean nations. He also highlighted US President Donald Trump's commitment to the Indo-Pacific strategy as a major engine for economic growth.
Regarding North Korea, Pompeo said pressure on Pyongyang should be maintained as concerns mount about the Kim Jong-un regime's willingness to denuclearise.
He said he discussed with Chinese officials the US decision to maintain sanctions on North Korea. "We also talked about the importance of enforcing UN Security Council resolutions and they made clear their commitment to do that."
However, Pompeo said the US was confident North Korean denuclearisation would be implemented according to the accepted timeline.
The Asean meeting coincided with a bitter trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. Talking about the ongoing row, Pompeo said: "President Trump inherited an unfair trade regime where American workers in American companies are not treated reciprocally or fairly by the Chinese. Efforts of the Trump administration are to right that, to correct that, to adjust that."
Trump threatened to double tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods, while China said it would impose tariffs ranging from 5 to 25 per cent on $60 billion worth of American products.
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MP Brijesh Chowta urges centre to grant point of call status to Mangaluru airport
New Delhi: Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta has demanded that Mangaluru International Airport be given Point of Call (TOC) status urgently.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377, MP Chowta said that Mangaluru International Airport is a major aviation gateway for coastal Karnataka and neighbouring Kerala. The airport handled around 23.4 lakh passengers, including 7.15 lakh international passengers, during 2024-25. More than 16,800 flights were operated for it. This has registered a growth of more than 15% annually. He said that these figures highlight the importance of the airport in terms of growth and commercial promotion.
A significant number of people from Tulunadu regions work in Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. This working community relies heavily on Mangaluru airport for international travel. However, due to lack of point of call status, foreign airlines are unable to operate direct international services from here. Hence, passengers have to travel via Bengaluru or Cochin airports. This is causing various inconveniences to the NRI community, including high cost, long travel time, Brijesh Chowta has drawn the attention of the House.
ALSO READ: MP Kota Srinivas demands double-tracking of Konkan railway route
Granting the status to Mangaluru International Airport will enable direct international connectivity for the people of this region. It will also facilitate further expansion of airline operations. It will enable smooth travel for the working class abroad and their families.
Such air connectivity will naturally boost trade and investment activities here. It will also support and encourage regional industries like areca nut, cashew nut processing and petrochemicals. It will also complement the growth of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone, MP Chowta assured the House.
Providing direct international connectivity can not only boost the growth of tourism in the coastal region but also the progress in the education sector. It will also facilitate easy travel for students, researchers and visitors of prestigious institutions like NITK Suratkal and Manipal Institute of Technology to international forums, he said.
