US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon has said that the Indo-US relationship has an “evident and obvious” strategic underpinning, insulating it from a change of government in the US (and in India).

The Indo-Pacific region is going to be of the greatest importance to the US as it goes deeper into the 21st century, as it has one-third of the global population and is a corridor for the transit of a majority of manufactured goods and fuel.

“And, the country that is most prominent in the region, and will be a dominant force, will be India. Our relationship with India is on broad security in the region and ability to resolve disputes peacefully,” he said, speaking in Kolkata on Friday. “The argument is so obvious that to walk away from that will be a mistake,” the US Under-Secretary added.

“China is an important partner of Washington and it’s a partnership that we want to develop over time. I am sure India understands China’s economic rise in the same way …But geopolitically the relationship with India makes sense on its own,” he said.

Mutual interests “We (the US and India) are two very large democracies… that have an interest in maintaining peace in the Indian Ocean region…and the kind of economic and commercial activities that help the region to grow,” Shannon added.

Regarding the proposed inclusion of India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), he said: “One of my purposes (in visiting India) was to sit down with my Indian counterparts and discuss our diplomatic strategy and what we need to do, so that when we once again have the opportunity to support India’s association with the NSG, it will be successful.” Responding to questions on alleged intolerance and the reported exchange between the US Ambassador and the BJP on freedom of speech, he said the US is “prepared to address” statements or behaviour that do not justify the tenets of democracy.

Regional connectivity On his meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Under-Secretary Shannon said the discussion touched upon her active role in facilitating development of the Asian Highway network connecting Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, to promote regional trade.

The connectivity measures have the potential to convert the State into a regional hub for trade and commerce, he said.

“We have also talked briefly about the challenges of managing security along the frontier, which is more of a connector than a barrier.

William Todd, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US administration, added that the US is keen to develop the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor (IPEC) to connect India with its (Eastern) neighbours.

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