Obama to focus on Asian powers at G-20

OBAMA-G20

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jun 24 (PTI) Keen to expand America's
engagement with Asia, US President Barack Obama will spend a
major part of his time at the upcoming G-20 summit in Toronto,
focusing on America's ties with major Asian powers including
India, China and Japan.
In fact, Obama has scheduled five of his six
bilaterals on the sidelines of the G-20 summit with the
leaders of India, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.
White House officials say the US President wants to
use this meeting as an opportunity to underscore America's
commitment to leadership and increased engagement in Asia.
From the beginning of this administration, the US
President has placed a great priority on renewed American
leadership and engagement in Asia, both on economic and
security issues, a senior Administration official said.
"This is an eloquent demonstration of the importance
that the president attaches to Asia, the importance of Asia to
our political security and economic interest. It's an area of
rising influence globally and emerging powers," another senior
administration official said.
The official pointed out that Obama has important
trips lined up to Asia in November -- around the next G-20
meeting to Korea, and then to India and Japan as well.
"So we see this is an opportunity to continue our
efforts to renew our leadership in Asia, and to also move
towards that trip later in the year," the official said.
Besides the Asian leaders, Obama would also have his
first bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister David
Cameron during his Canada visit.
Canada will first host the Group of Eight meeting at a
lake resort north of Toronto and later the discussions will
expand to the G-20 on June 26 and 27.
Noting that South Korea is one of the closest allies
of the US, the official said Washington is coordinating with
the Asian countries extremely closely on a number of issues.
"We'll also have the opportunity, to have a bilateral
meeting with President Hu (Jintao) of China," he said.
"We of course have been cooperating and coordinating
closely with China on a number of leading priorities heading
into this summit, both in terms of the global economy and in
terms of security issues, particularly Iran sanctions."
The official said the meeting on Saturday will be a
chance for the American and Chinese leaders to continue their
consultations.
Thereafter, Obama is scheduled to meet Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G 20 summit.
"This will be an important opportunity for the
president to continue to foster the close relationship that he
has with Prime Minister Singh," the official said. (MORE) PTI
LKJ
RDM


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