Delhi and the adjoining parts woke up to unusually heavy rains causing massive water-logging on major roads. US Secretary of State John Kerry, who’s on his fourth visit to India, was among the lakhs of people who bore the brunt of crippled traffic movement in the city.
His lecture – that was scheduled to start at 10 am – at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was delayed by more than an hour. That led to Kerry making a jibe on his arrival. “Have you come here in boats?” Kerry asked the students and other members of the audience.
He then went on to talk about India’s potential. “India is an established power today,” he said.
“Wherever I go, I find a robust debate, and an ambitious vision of future. This is perhaps in Indian DNA.”
Watch John Kerry address the students of IIT-Delhi.
Pakistan Has Work to Do to Keep Terror Activities in Check
Kerry called for support towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive towards increasing renewable sources of power:
The key test is to preserve our environment. Energy policy is the solution to address our environment issues.
Speaking on terrorism, he said that terrorism cannot be tackled by one country. Kerry stressed on the importance of Pakistan’s role in keeping terrorist activities in check.
We must strike at the root causes of violent extremism and we have to work hard to understand the different variations of causes. Pakistan must work with us to help clear the sanctuary for bad actors who are affecting India-Pakistan relationship. It’s clear that Pakistan has work to do in order to push harder against its indigenous groups that are engaged in terrorist activities. In fairness, Pakistan has suffered greatly from this terrorism in their own country. More than 50,000 people have been killed there in terrorist incidents.
He did not directly comment on Donald Trump, but said, “You have to rely on the good judgement of the American people. Period.”
Kerry Calls on China, Philippines to Abide By International Tribunal’s Decision on South China Sea
State John Kerry also called on China and the Philippines to abide by the international tribunal’s decision on the disputed South China Sea region.
This is a crucial opportunity to uphold the existing rules-based international order, show respect for international law, and support regional stability and prosperity.
The remarks came ahead of a G20 summit in China on 4 and 5 Sept that is to be attended by global leaders.
Beijing wants to use the meeting in the tourist hub of Hangzhou to lay out a broad strategy for global growth, but talks are likely to be overshadowed by arguments over everything from territorial disputes to protectionism, diplomats said.
Visit to Religious Sites Cancelled After Deluge
Kerry’s proposed visit to three religious sites in the city – Gauri Shankar temple, Jama Masjid and Gurdwara Sisganj Sahib – was cancelled as heavy rains lashed the national capital on Wednesday morning.
Kerry, who is on a three-day-visit, was supposed to visit the sites on Monday but it was postponed.
The US leader has had a difficult time with the city’s traffic since he landed on Monday night.
His convoy was stuck on Satya Marg in Lutyens Delhi for an hour by the “spillover effect” of water-logging in the main carriageways.
Welcome to Delhi, Mr Kerry.
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