U.S. Seeks Strong Partnership With Modi Government

Biswal said the U.S. was "confident we can work in a strong and collaborative partnership with the Modi government to grow our economic and strategic relations with India in a way that benefits both countries and both economies."

This year's U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi later this month will highlight how U.S.-India ties promote shared prosperity in both countries, she said.

"We expect that the Strategic Dialogue will kick off a series of cabinet- and sub-cabinet-level visits throughout the late summer and fall, culminating in the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Washington at the invitation of the President," Biswal said.

Amy Searight, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence highlighting the significant role played by defence relations in advancing India-U.S. strategic partnership told the panel that "we want India to have all of the capabilities it needs to meet its security demands, and we want to be a strong partner in that effort."

Under the U.S.-India Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), "we are ready to move forward on a number of efforts, from co-production/co-development proposals to procurement and sales," she said.