Page 9 - The Indian EYE 052821

NATION MAY 28, 2021 | The Indian Eye 9

exercise malign influence in Af- is overseeing the withdrawal as
ghanistan,” said David Helvey, the commander of US Central
acting assistant secretary of de- Command, said Afghanistan’s
fense for Indo-Pacific security military “will certainly collapse”
affairs, at a US Senate Armed after the withdrawal without
Services Committee hearing on American support.
Thursday, reported Nikkei Asia. He also admitted that he was
Helvey further said that China concerned about the security of
does have an interest in Afghan- the American Embassy in Ka-
istan. “That China’s influence bul after the US withdrawal and
could be used to undermine sta- the prospects of China filling the
bility, instead of reinforce stabili- vacuum in the region, reported
ty or support stability, obviously, Nikkei Asia.
that’s something that we’ve got Ladakh has been at the center of conflict between India and China (ANI) Earlier this month, China
concern about,” he said. had blamed the United States’
After US President Joe Afghan security forces. “We have been in Afghan- “abrupt announcement of com-
Biden announced the decision US Republican Senator Mar- istan for over 20 years, and too plete withdrawal of forces” for
to withdraw American troops sha Blackburn had earlier ques- many of our brave service mem- the succession of explosive at-
from Kabul, a bipartisan cho- tioned Pentagon officials about bers have been killed,” said tacks throughout Afghanistan,
rus of voices in Washington has the possibility of China using its Blackburn on Friday in reply to a saying the step has worsened the
raised concerns over the impact Belt and Road initiative to gain question from Nikkei Asia. security situation and has threat-
of the withdrawal, including the “unfettered access” across Af- The top commander in the ened peace and stability as well
protection of women, minori- ghanistan to Iran, potentially con- Middle East and Afghanistan, as people’s lives and safety in the
ties, media and the collapse of necting the two American rivals. General Frank McKenzie, who war-torn country.

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