"As the world's largest democracies, we share inherent values and mutual interests that form the cornerstone of our cooperation, particularly in the areas of security, energy, and the environment," it said.

"We support India's role as a regional provider of security and its expanded participation in critical regional institutions. We see a strategic convergence with India's Act East policy and our continued implementation of the rebalance to Asia and the Pacific," the strategy said.

"At the same time, we will continue to work with both India and Pakistan to promote strategic stability, combat terrorism, and advance regional economic integration in South and Central Asia," said the National Security Strategy.

This is the second national security strategy of the Obama administration, the first one being released in May 2010.

In the 2010 strategy, the White House said the U.S. and India are building a strategic partnership that is underpinned by their shared interests, shared values as the world's two largest democracies, and close connections among people.

"India's responsible advancement serves as a positive example for developing nations, and provides an opportunity for increased economic, scientific, environmental, and security partnership," the 2010 edition of the NSS said.

In related news, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal said Feb. 5. that the U.S. shares a special and unique friendship with India and can be its "best partner" in promoting peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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