India, U.S. To Work Together In Middle East, Africa: Top U.S. Official

NEW DELHI: Noting that India's rise is in America's interest, the U.S. said it was looking at partnering with India to work together not only in Asia but also in Middle East and Africa, a continent which is seeing a lot of Chinese investment.

The relationship with India matters enormously to the U.S. and the new Indian government has injected energy, focus and vision into bilateral ties, said American Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy R Sherman while addressing a group of journalists and students at University of Chicago Center here.

Asked about China, Sherman said the U.S. is hopeful that China will be prosperous, peaceful and that the countries could have a cooperative relationship.

"I am sure we will be competitors in market place, that is good for everybody because then you will give your best. What we ask for and what I believe India asks for is China to play by international norms and rules," she said.

"If it is a fair playing field, then everything is normal... If China invests in Africa and it helps to create a rising middle class and a consumer class that can buy Indian and American products, we all win," she said.

"All of us can rise if we follow international norms," she said.

Sherman is here along with Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Desai Biswal; Assistant Secretary, Near Eastern Affairs, Anne Patterson and Assistant Secretary, African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Noting that the relationship with India is profound, the senior official said her colleagues not only had consultations with broader groups but consultations with their counterparts here.

This she said was to see where both countries could "partner together in Africa, where we can partner together in Middle East," she said adding that Asia is in constant conversation.

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