'Our Goal is to Be India's Best Friend', Says U.S. Vice President Joe Biden

"We have harnessed commonalities between our two countries to further bilateral priorities in several areas, including defence and security, countering terrorism and extremism, clean energy and environmental protection, science and technology and space," she said.

"Our joint effort will help make India-U.S. partnership as President Barack Obama had said, one of the defining partnerships of the 21st Century," Mrs Swaraj said.

Earlier, John Kerry said that U.S. and India have entered a new era marked by commercial ties, deep well of affection, and genuine warmth.

Expressing support for PM Modi's plan to help India's economy become more reliant on renewable sources of power, he said "it is absolutely critical in the end on pure economic terms."

"It's also smart politically, because a recent survey reported that 73 percent of Indians view climate change as the most pressing global concern," Mr Kerry said.

Describing the dialogue as "one the most important that we have with any country on the planet, Mr Kerry said: "We are the countries of innovation and opportunity. We think alike. We have an ability to be able to build this future."

"Although differences of ideology have separated us in the past... we are in the end, and I think that's what brings you here, the most natural of partners," Mr Kerry said.

The USIBC conclave also featured remarks by US Secretary of State Penny Pritzker and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who would lead the commercial side of the dialogue.

USIBC Chairman Ajay Banga said: "The eyes of history remain fixed on India and the United States as they move closer to ushering in what could be a whole new era for India-US Relations."

The US-India CEO Forum, the primary mechanism for engaging the US and Indian private sectors, had its meeting at the Commerce Department. Its recommendations would be announced.

Other engagements on the sidelines of the strategic and commercial dialogue include an official level India-U.S. Health Dialogue and a meeting of India-U.S. Joint Working Group on Climate Change.

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