"India a key strategic partner," says White House ahead of 2+2 Dialogue
White House has called India a key strategic partner and said the US will leave it to the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to decide the country's stance on any particular crisis or contingency around the world.
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said was speaking about India's stand on the Israel crisis.
«India is a key strategic partner.
And I think you saw that on full display when Prime Minister Modi was here,» John Kirby said.
«We'll leave it to the Indian government and the Prime Minister to decide, what their stance is gonna be on any particular crisis or contingency around the world, to include the Middle East, but they remain a key strategic partner, and we're dedicated to advancing that partnership, every single day,» Kirby said.
This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow to participate in the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit held every year since 2018, with the Minister of External Affairs and the Defence Minister representing India and the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence representing the United States.
The discussions centre on common issues of concern between the two countries.
Meanwhile, terming India a crucial «moral voice» across the world, Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon recently urged New Delhi to designate Hamas as a terror organisation in India as well.
He stated that both India and Israel have a «shared war» against terror and counter-terrorism is one of the areas where the countries align.
Speaking during a press briefing, Gilon said, «Prime Minister Modi Ji was among the first leaders in the world
