India-US Ties Utmost Importance to Ensure Free & Open Indo-Pacific Region: FS Shringla

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday made a strong pitch for India-US bilateral ties, stressing how New Delhi considers its ties with Washington of utmost importance. “India considers its relationship with the US to be of paramount importance, not only for our respective nations but also in ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, and a peaceful and prosperous world,” Shringla said at a special session of India Ideas Summit organised by US India Business Council.

The summit was attended by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who arrived in India on Tuesday for a three-day visit.

Addressing the summit, Sherman said the US will cooperate with China where it is in its interest, but will challenge Beijing where it undermines the interests of Washington and that of its allies or threatens the rules-based international order, She noted that her country and India were “like-minded” in this regard.

Sherman also asserted that the partnership between the US and India is “indispensable” for the two countries, the Indo-Pacific and the world. The remarks on the Indo-Pacific come amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Asked about China and the US’ Info-Pacific partnerships, Sherman said shared democratic values are the bedrock of the India-US relationship and they built a strong network of Indo-Pacific alliances and partnerships based on international rules-based order. The US-India partnership is essential to upholding that, she added.

“Regarding the PRC (People’s Republic of China) we have been clear, we are ready to compete and compete vigorously, but we want a level-playing field…. We’ll compete vigorously with China where we should, we will cooperate with China where it’s in our interest to do so. I am sure the same is true for India. We will challenge China where we must — where it undermines our interests and interests of our partners and allies or threatens the rules-based international order,” Sherman said.

Earlier in the day, Sherman and Shringla held extensive talks covering the situation in Afghanistan, cooperation under Quad framework and a range of other issues.

“They discussed issues of regional interest, especially the evolving situation in Afghanistan, as well as developments at the UN. Reiterated commitment for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, including through continued cooperation under the Quad,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted after Shringla-Sherman talks. He said both sides took stock of bilateral issues ranging from Covid-19, security and defence, economic, climate and clean energy and people-to-people linkages.

“Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla held consultations with US Deputy Secretary of State @DeputySecState on taking forward the strategic partnership for global good as envisioned by PM @narendramodi and @POTUS @JoeBiden,” Bagchi said in another tweet.

On October 7, Sherman will travel to Mumbai for engagements with business and civil society. Separately, a delegation of the US Trade Representative (AUSTR) is also visiting India. The delegation comprises US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Christopher Wilson, Deputy AUSTR Brendan Lynch and Director Emily Ashby. The delegation was welcomed at the US Embassy by Charge d’Affaires Patricia Lacina Lacina.

“CDA Lacina welcomed @USTradeRep AUSTR Chris Wilson, Deputy AUSTR Brendan Lynch, and Director Emily Ashby to New Delhi. The delegation is looking forward to constructive meetings this week and to a productive upcoming meeting of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum this year,” the embassy tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.