Partnership with India ‘most consequential’: US

The United States has said its partnership with India is one of its most consequential relationships and that Washington and New Delhi are working closely on “vital priorities”.

“We work with India closely on our most vital priorities, and we expect Ambassador Garcetti to be able to deepen the relationship between our countries and work on these matters of shared concern,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

Miller further said that US consular teams have taken cognizance of the visa issue. “We obviously recognise that it’s an area of concern and our consular teams have been making a huge push to process as many visa applications as possible in India, including those in visa categories that are key to the bilateral relationship. It is a top priority for our government, and I know it’s a top priority for our embassy in the country.”

Speaking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit- slated for June 22- Miller stated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been a fixture in discussions between the PM and US President Joe Biden. “Certainly, the war in Ukraine will be one of the topics that is under discussion. It’s been one of the topics that have been under discussion in previous meetings with Prime Minister Modi, as it is in just about any conversation we have with a world leader at this time or has been the case for the past year.”

The White House recently said that PM Modi’s visit to the US will be an opportunity to “reaffirm the deep and close partnership” between both countries. Maintaining close ties with India is “very important to the [US] President,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said.

Pierre added that the visit is expected to strengthen both countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific as well as the resolve to evaluate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy and space.