India and Japan will not be added to new security alliance: Jen Psaki

India and Japan will not be added to AUKUS, the new trilateral security alliance between Australia, Britain, and the US, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The new partnership is aimed at dealing with the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

India and Japan are in Washington this week to participate in the first in-person Quad Summit.

The new partnership was announced on September 15 by US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Australia will be getting a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. France had said that they are disappointed in the deal as Australia cancelled a previous deal with a French company.

When asked about the French statement "stabbed in the back" about the AUKUS alliance, Ms. Psaki said that US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have agreed on "open consultations" among allies on matters of strategic interest to France would have helped in having a better situation.

Psaki told the media that the announced meant of AUKUS was not meant to be an indication and there is no one else who will be involved in the security in the Indi-Pacific. And this is the message President Biden sent to French President Emmanuel Macron. She was asked if India and Japan will be part of a similar kind of military role.

AUKUS is being seen as an effort to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. Chinese authorities said that such exclusive grouping has no future and will undermine regional stability.