PNS|Washington
The US supports India’s rise as a great power, and this will be central to ensuring American interests in the years ahead, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday, on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-level talks with President Joe Biden at the White House.
Underlining that India and the US see each other as key security partners in the Indo-Pacific and partners of first resort, the official said that the bilateral relationship “is deeper and more expansive than ever.”
“The US supports India’s rise as a great power, and this will be central to ensuring US interests in the years ahead,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
The official said that some “exciting announcements” are expected on space exploration during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, besides business, education and travel cooperation.
When asked about some of the industrial packages that might be announced after Modi-Biden talks, the official said, “I don’t want to get ahead of the announcements that will be made tomorrow, but some of the technology we’re discussing, I hope that you’ll see tomorrow, is a real vote of confidence for this relationship and India’s capacity as a defence manufacturer. What you will hear tomorrow are announcements about (co-production) of military systems.”
On India’s reliance on Russian arms, the official said, “In 2008 we had essentially sold nothing to India; but in 2020 that was USD 20 billion, and it’s rising exponentially every year. We’re not alone – many other partners are working in India, increasingly on the same terms we are – co-production and co-development.
At the same time, you see cancellations of major systems from Russia because (we know) Russia cannot provide it.”
The official said that India is in the process of diversifying its dependence on any (single) supplier.
When asked about the Ukraine conflict and whether India can play the role of a mediator, the official said that over the last several months there has been some shift on the Indian position on the war in Ukraine.
“India has a long history of relations with Russia. They have interests with Russia that go back many, many decades. I think it’s a positive thing that Modi has said that this must be settled through dialogue and diplomacy.”
