'No debate on India's importance in US foreign policy'

India has been an important partner for us economically, diplomatically & militarily: advisor to Obama campaign

Reflecting a consensus in American political set up on India, a top foreign policy advisor to the Obama Campaign asserted that there is "no debate" in the US on how important the country is in its foreign policy.

"Frankly, that there is no debate about how important India is in American foreign policy going forward for very strong reasons of shared interests, but also shared values and commitment to democracy," Michele Flournoy, Obama For America Advisor said.

Flournoy, who served the Obama Administration as Under Secretary of Defence for Policy for two years, said that the US President Barack Obama has talked about the strategic partnership with India.

"As India rises into a greater place of influence in South Asia and in the region more broadly, the United States welcomes that.

"India has been an important partner for us economically, diplomatically, and militarily," she said in response to a question.

"When the President had to make his choice about who would be the first world leader to invite to the White House for an official state dinner, he extended the invitation to Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh," Flournoy said.

Her remarks to foreign journalists on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention here came hours before the convention delegates adopted the party's platform which called for greater relationship with India.

"We will continue to invest in a long-term strategic partnership with India to support its ability to serve as a regional economic anchor and provider of security in the broader Indian Ocean region," says the 40 page Platform, which the Democratic Party says is part of the effort of the Obama Administration to shape the future of the Asia-Pacific region.