India an indispensable partner: US

India which is rising on the global stage is an indispensable partner of the United States.

India which is rising on the global stage is an indispensable partner of the United States,a top American official has said hours ahead of the visit of President Barack Obama to India.

“In the case of India,we have a strategic partnership which we’re trying to develop. It’s an indispensable partner,one that we recognize is rising on the global stage,one that we want to embrace,because we think that together with India,as we have historically with others with our European partners — there are many things we can do together that advance both our countries’ interests and also that provide for others,” said Mike Hammer,spokesman of the National Security Council,White House.

“I think that what you’ll see on this trip is a manifestation of some of these ideas. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves in terms of making any announcements. I’ll leave that to the President. But clearly we will be working very closely in the future on that,” Hammer said in a briefing with foreign correspondents on the eve of the departure of the US President Barack Obama on his four-nation Asia trip beginning with India.

Story continues below this ad

“On this trip,we’re going to four vibrant democracies in Asia,strong market economies,and that’s something that is rather important to see,” he said in response to a question.

Responding to a question on the assertive rise of China,Hammer said,US has been very keen to try to develop a cooperative and comprehensive relationship that will also include exchanges where “we have differences and frankly where we don’t see eye to eye”.

Obama so far had an opportunity to meet with the Chinese counterpart six times and three times with its Premier.

“So we’ve had very tight engagement with them. Our current national security adviser,Mr (Tom) Donilon,was in Beijing over Labor Day weekend with Dr Larry Summers to advance that relationship,” he said.

Story continues below this ad

“What we hear from our allies and partners in Asia,throughout the region,is that we want to see stability,we want to see prosperity,we want nations to abide by international law and international norms,and that will allow for natural evolution of the different countries.

I think that’s what we’re here to promote.

That’s what you’ll hear a lot during this trip,” he said.

“I think you can have relationships with different countries that are in different stages of development,that have different ideologies,without it being seen as competitive; that if one gets something,another is getting something less,” Hammer said.

Story continues below this ad

“But it’s important that we also recognize that on this trip,we’re going to four vibrant democracies in Asia,strong market economies,and that’s something that is rather important to see,” said the White House official.