Washington/New Delhi, Feb 15 : The US has said it recognizes India as a “driving force of the Quad, and an engine for regional growth and development”, as it continues to work with New Delhi to promote stability in South Asia, and contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked what role US President Joe Biden expects India to play in the Quad, said: “So, we will continue to build a strategic partnership in which the United States and India work together to promote stability in South Asia; collaborate in new domains such as health, space, cyberspace — which is important; deepen our economic and technology cooperation; and contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
(With UNI Inputs)
“We recognize that India is a likeminded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to the Southeast Asia, a driving force of the Quad, and an engine for regional growth and development.” During the bilateral held on February 11 between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the two sides reviewed the progress made over the past year in broadening and deepening the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership, which is critical to promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Blinken and Jaishankar discussed efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad and expand cooperation on common priorities, including reinforcing the rules-based international order, said a readout of the meeting by US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price. Blinken and Jaishankar also discussed cooperation on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine, the Afghanistan situation, Myanmar and other issues of mutual concern.
