Looking forward to strengthen ties with a leading ‘Global Power’ India, says new US security policy

Washington, December 19: The United States has hailed India as a rising global power while unveiling its new National Security Strategy (NSS) for fortifying US' partnership with India. US President Donald Trump has unveiled a new National Security Strategy on Monday.

“The Indo-Pacific region, which stretches from the west coast of India to the western shores of the United States, represents the most populous and economically dynamic part of the world. The U.S. interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific extends back to the earliest days of our republic.”

“We will expand our defense and security cooperation with India, a Major Defense Partner of the United States, and support India’s growing relationships throughout the region,” the White House said.

The NSS said it will deepen US strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.

The strategy added that the United States will encourage the economic integration of Central and South Asia to promote prosperity and economic linkages that will bolster connectivity and trade. And we will encourage India to increase its economic assistance in the region.

India is a natural ally of the US due to their shared commitment to democracy and counter-terrorism, according to a senior White House official who said in November the bilateral relationship is going to get stronger and better under the Trump administration.