Japan and the United States agree to strengthen bilateral ties; United States greets India on its 67th Independence Day; United States urges India and Pakistan to contribute to stability and prosperity in South Asian region; United States begins reopening
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    • According to reports, Japan and the United States should strengthen bilateral ties as China increases its presence in the South China and East China seas, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the visiting chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed on August 15. Abe told Robert Menendez at a meeting in Tokyo that the alliance’s importance is “increasing more and more” as the “strategic environment” in the Asia-Pacific region undergoes drastic change. Menendez, making his first trip to Asia since becoming the committee chairman, said Japan is the cornerstone of U.S. interests in East Asia, with both Tokyo and Washington sharing such values as democracy and human rights. Both discussed issues concerning Okinawa, where opposition remains strong to the U.S. military presence. 1

    Acording to reports, greeting India on its 67th Independence Day, US Secretary of State John Kerry in a press statement said, "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send our best wishes to the people of the Republic of India as you celebrate your Independence Day on August 15…During my recent visit to India, I was honoured to witness firsthand the vibrancy of your culture, the energy of your youth, and the strength and resilience of your democratic institutions," he said. Kerry pointed out, "Today the United States also takes pride in our indispensable partnership with India, a friendship built on our shared democratic values, the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, and our rich people-to-people ties." "I look forward to continuing our critical efforts to lay the foundations for peace, democracy, and prosperity in Asia and around the world" he added. 2

    According to reports, amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan at the LoC, the United States on August 13 urged both the countries to contribute to stability and prosperity in the region and hoped a solution will be found to the issues affecting relations between the two neighbours. "....We hope both the nations continue to find a solution to current issues and to work towards a greater cooperation and contribute to the stability and prosperity," US Ambassador Nancy Powell said here when asked about the incidents of firing between the two nations along LoC. On the broader issue of terrorism, she said "we all recognise there is much more that can be done by all countries of the world in countering terrorism and we continue to support that." 3

    In other developments, reports noted that United States embassies that were closed a week ago over security concerns have begun to reopen. Embassies in Libya, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have reopened seven days after America closed 19 of its diplomatic posts across the Middle East and Africa. However, the US state department noted that the mission in Yemen will remain closed. Communication intercepts had indicated a terrorist threat, which US politicians called the "most serious" in years. 4

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