US wants Modi to succeed as we want India to succeed: Senator McCain

He also expressed his belief that Modi's election last year represents an important opportunity between India and US

Asserting that America wishes to be on top of the list when India thinks of its partners around the world, a top American Senator has said the US wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to succeed.

"The US wants Prime Minister Modi to succeed because we want India to succeed. I strongly believe that Prime Minister Modi's election last year represent an important opportunity between our two nations," Senator John McCain said in a video message welcoming Modi to the US.

"He (Modi) sees our strategic partnership to revitalise India both economically and geopolitically," he said, adding that the US wants to be on top of the list when India thinks about its partners around the world.

"Our nations must begin to think more ambitiously by how we can invest in each other and improve our capacity to work together on a whole range of issues from energy to trade and investment to defence among many other issues," McCain said.

The US can support India's rise as a fast growing innovative economy, flourishing society, modern military and an influential global actor, the Republican Senator said who was among the first top US officials to meet Modi after he came to power last year.

McCain argued that the US and India should focus on a strategic agenda, making sure of a rules based international system, its support for common security and prosperity.

"We must work to sustain a favourable balance of power in the Pacific. This means developing a new habit of strategic cooperation and consultation, developing a common operating picture in conducting joint exercises in all domains," he said.

This means that the US transfers its technology to India which can make its defence acquisition more effective. It also means that the US and India playing a more global role together and with likeminded States to strengthen a rules based international order, he said, adding that India and the US today share confidence and optimism for the future.