Kamala Harris trip to Asia: US Vice President Kamala Harris is all set to visit Southeast Asia next week to make clear that America is part of the Indo-Pacific region and “here to stay”.
Harris, is the first Black woman to serve as a vice president in the United States, is going to visit Singapore and Vietnam starting on Sunday. She aims is to establish deeper relations with a network of allies there, to furthering the Biden administration’s goal of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, which the US considers key to checking Chinese expansion.
The Indian-American Vice President will support US President Joe Biden compete with China for influence in a crucial region that is home to 660 million people.
Here are ten things to know about Kamala Harris trip to Asia:
1. Harris will travel to regional financial center Singapore and former US war enemy Vietnam, a White House spokesperson said. She will speak with both governments about security, and the current crisis - the COVID-19 pandemic. She will also discuss addressing the threat of climate change, worker rights, human rights, as well as regional issues including China and joint efforts to promote a rules-based international order.
2. She will be the most senior US official to visit the region since Biden took office in January.
3. Harris will land in Singapore on Sunday. Harris will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam. She is reaching on Tuesday and departing next Thursday.
4. Her trip comes on the heels of Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin’s visit to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines last month plus the Philippines and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s virtual meetings on August 4.
5. Harris will emphasise America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region during her Singapore and Vietnam visit.
6. A senior White House official told Reuters earlier this month that the vice president during the visit wants to focus on defending international rules in the South China Sea.
7. Her visit from Washington shows that the United States cares about Southeast Asia and this kind of top-level diplomacy "demonstrates again the United States’ real commitment to the region".
8. The official said her trip will highlight the Biden administration’s focus on revitalising alliances and partnerships around the world and that Harris “recognises the significance of showing up and engaging on the ground”.
9. Harris’ trip to Southeast Asia will be her second foreign trip since taking office in January, and the first visit by any US vice-president to Vietnam. She earlier went to Guatemala and Mexico.
10. Her trip comes amid concerns in Afghanistan following Biden's decision to withdraw US troops after a 20-year war.
Indian-origin Harris made history when she was sworn in on January 20th becoming the first woman, first Black person, and first Asian American vice president.
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