'U.S. Committed To Security Partnership With Strong And Influential India'

"Our long-term geo-strategic convergence in this region with India has never been more apparent," Biswal said.

Last year, she noted, U.S. sent a senior-level representative to participate for the first time in the Indian Ocean Regional Association as a dialogue partner.

"All told, we'd argue that almost nowhere do U.S.-India interests currently converge as much as in the Indo-Pacific, the vast littoral arc stretching from South Africa to Australia," Biswal said.

Turning to what she called "our path-breaking defense relationship", she said spanning the last decade, the U.S. has "made significant progress in helping India modernize its armed forces and in expanding joint exercises that enhance regional security".

"Today, we are proud to have a growing track record of notable defense sales, including, most recently, the C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft, and the P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft," she said.

Noting that there were "many more projects in the pipeline that will provide top-end equipment and capabilities to our Indian partners", Biswal said U.S. was "firmly committed to a stronger co-production and co-development relationship, meeting our collective security needs and reducing costs".

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