America terms India-US relationship as a ‘natural partnership’; vows to confront challenges jointly

NewsBharati    30-May-2018
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New Delhi, May 30: A top American lawmaker on Tuesday termed the relationship between India and the United States as a “natural partnership" between the two Indo-Pacific partners.

 

American Congressman Mac Thornberry said, "The US-India relationship is a natural partnership between two Indo-Pacific partners. We share interests and concerns, including transnational terrorism and China's aggressive behaviour in the region and around the world."

Thornberry further said, "America is rebuilding and reforming our military to deter these adversaries and reassure friends like India, but more can be done. The US needs a whole of government strategy to confront both of these challenges, including how we can deepen our partnership with India."

Notably, the statement comes a day after American Congressman Mac Thornberry led bipartisan Congressional delegation concluded a series of high-level meetings with Indian authorities, including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi.

Following the meeting, Defence Ministry tweeted saying, US Congressional delegation called on Smt @nsitharaman & discussed the range of issues pertaining to India-US defence cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to further develop defence partnership.”


The Congressional delegation also met Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale, Indian foreign policy experts, business leaders, and leading members of the Indian Parliament. Other members of the delegation were Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Vicky Hartzler and Carol Shea-Porter.