The US has accorded a “depth” of friendship and strategic partnership to India that is unmatched in the world and it is set to expand further during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington next month, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Tuesday.
In an interview to PTI, Garcetti suggested that the two countries are working on certain agreements to bolster defence cooperation and they are likely to be firmed up when Modi visits the US or President Joe Biden comes to India in September for the G20 summit.
On challenges being faced by India from China along its land border as well as in the maritime domain, he said New Delhi can depend on Washington as it stands for respecting borders, sovereignty and the rule of law.
“We will protect and defend these principles. If one country thinks that it can unilaterally change the status quo, that is unacceptable to all of us. We also want to deter action. We would like to see a more peaceful relationship with China for both India and the United States,” he said.
At the same time, Garcetti asserted that “bullying” by anybody would not be acceptable.
He said India-US partnership has assumed greater significance for the world in the context of the current geo-political situation, asserting that the partnership is not only beneficial for the two countries but also for the globe.
