US sees strengthening of relationship with India under Modi

India-US relationship is not just about bilateral ties, but more about 'India's role at global stage', says Nisha Desai Biswal

The Obama administration hopes that Indo-US strategic relationship would not only strengthen but would also reach a new high under Narendra Modi-led government, which has earned a strong and decisive mandate from the people of the country - the first in 30 years.

The India-US relationship is not just about bilateral ties, but more about "India's role at global stage," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal said.

"We see that there is tremendous scope for what we can do together that would benefit not only our own two countries but also hopefully have global benefit," she told a group of Indian reporters in a media roundtable.

"The US India relationship is important not only because it is a relationship that advances the interest of the United States and that of India, but it is an important relationship because when the world's largest democracies and world's largest democracies partner together, we have the ability to advance and bring global benefit," she said.

"This is what drives us even through tough times, because at the end of the day this is the relationship that meets the aspirations of large segment of humanity," said Biswal, who would be headed for Central Asia soon.

There is definitely a possibility for her to swing through New Delhi. As such she would be the first top US diplomat to have interaction with the Modi Government.

"So to say that this is not a strategic relationship is categorically false. I think in every understanding of that terminology, US India relationship hits the bill. And I see that becoming even more so the case," Biswal said in response to a question.

"Certainly not," Biswal said when asked about news reports that Modi's first overseas trip would be to Japan, China or Bangladesh and not the US.

"We fully understand and expect that the Prime Minister will make his own set of engagements to what he needs to do," she said.

"We look forward to welcoming him at the earliest opportunity. We also recognize that he has to set his own agenda. That (Modi's first overseas travel to Japan, China or Bangladesh) does not cause any concern here," she said.

Biswal said that it's America's hope and expectations that "this is a mandate for economic opportunity" that brings all Indians together.