Describing India as a “rising global power,” the US on Thursday said it needs to forge closer cooperation with it in meeting challenges in South Asian region, including securing Afghanistan.
In her opening remarks at the launch of the first-ever Indo-US Strategic Dialogue, secretary of state Hillary Clinton indicated her country’s support for India’s aspirations for permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council, saying its rise would “certainly be a factor in any future consideration of the reforms” of the world body.
During the dialogue with external affairs minister S.M. Krishna, the two sides vowed to strengthen cooperation in security, military, nuclear energy, climate change, education and agriculture.
Hailing India’s contribution towards rebuilding of Afghanistan, she sought to allay “doubts” that the US sees India only in the “context” of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“In this dialogue, we will confront regional issues, most importantly securing Afghanistan’s future. India and the US and countries of the world have a stake in Afghanistan and India’s contribution to Afghanistan’s future, including $1.3 billion assistance have been positive and significant,” Ms Clinton said.
“India is a rising global power and already a regional power in Asia. Thus more the need to work closely with India to meet the immediate challenges in the neighbourhood including Afghanistan,” she said.
“India and the US must play a leading role in shaping the destiny of the 21st century,” he said.
Mr Krishna noted that the institution of the Strategic Dialogue was a reflection of the deepening and broadening of our relations between the two countries.
“We both have an abiding interest in a stable international order and in the maintenance of peace and stability in Asia and beyond, and a tremendous opportunity is now before us to work together to achieve this objective,” he said.
—PTI