India could be America's one of the strongest and most dependable military partners in the Asia-Pacific region over the coming years, a top Congressional Committee said on Wednesday.
"Bolstering and strengthening the relationship, and encouraging enhanced engagement by India in the Asia-Pacific region should be a top priority of the Defence Department," the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee said.
The committee strongly supported an enhanced defence relationship between the US and India.
"Over the coming years, India could be one of our strongest and most dependable military partners in the region," the Senate Committee said as it posed a set of questions to General Paul Selva.
The Senate panel is considering Selva's nomination for a second term as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Responding to the committee's questions, Selva said, "The US-India military relationship is strong and getting stronger. Our two countries cooperate through complex exercises as well as robust engagement through defence trade and technology cooperation."