The United States’ relationship with India is "strong and getting stronger," the White House said, highlighting President Joe Biden’s commitment to deepening the bilateral partnership. As Biden’s presidency nears its end, the administration reflected on the progress made with India under his leadership and stated that the President will be proud of the deepening partnership with India as he gazes back on his term.
"I think one word -- well, actually, three words: strong, and getting stronger,” said John Kirby, National Security Communications Advisor, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
Kirby was responding to a question from the news agency PTI about how the relationship between the two countries has evolved during Biden's term and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Biden has "invested a lot in our bilateral relationship with India," Kirby said, emphasising the importance of their strategic partnership. One of the key initiatives, he noted, was elevating the Quad — a group that includes Australia, Japan, India, and the US — to a leader-level forum, with PM Modi attending an official state visit in June last year.
"We’ve elevated our strategic partnership to the highest level," Kirby said. "We are pursuing a defence relationship with various systems that will make not just the Indian people safer, but people safer throughout the Indo-Pacific."
Kirby also noted Biden’s deep respect for PM Modi’s perspective in these discussions. "He lives in that neighbourhood; he understands it. And of course, he’s the leader of one of the most vibrant democracies in the world."
As Biden reflects on his term, Kirby said, strengthening the US-India relationship will be a point of pride. "I believe one of the things he’ll be most proud of is deepening this partnership with India, but just as critically, making that partnership more inclusive."
