U.S Can Play Imp Role to Help India Address Its Problems

WASHINGTON: The U.S can play an important role in helping India in addressing the challenges faced by it and creating opportunities that would benefit both countries, a top Obama administration official said today.

"In all the areas that the Modi government has identified as priorities, we think the United States, including our businesses and universities, can play an important role in helping address the challenges India faces and creating opportunities that benefit both countries," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal said during a Congressional hearing.

Her comments came as Secretary of State John Kerry is all set to visit New Delhi for the next round of annual India-U.S Strategic Dialogue.

A week after the Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Biswal, who was present at the meeting, exuded confidence that the U.S can work in a strong and collaborative partnership with the new government.

"The Modi government has identified infrastructure, manufacturing, modernising the military, energy security, attracting greater foreign investment, and expanding access to skills training and education as its key priorities," Biswal said.

"The Prime Minister, in inviting regional leaders to his inauguration, also signalled that India will play a greater strategic role in its immediate neighbourhood and across the Indo-Pacific region," she added, referring to the swearing-in ceremony of Modi attended by all the heads of the SAARC nations.

The Assistant Secretary said that a strong India will play a critical role in the coming decades in shaping the Asian landscape, and the U.S partnership with India will play an increasingly important role in that context.

"If India is to achieve its economic and strategic potential, it must overcome the myriad economic and governance challenges it is facing including slow growth, energy shortages and flagging foreign investment," she said.

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