Resurgent India Driving Asian Growth Story: U.S. Official

The U.S., she said, supported "India's economic rise, including its domestic economic transformation" because for "India to be a strong partner in the region and around the world, it must be strong at home."

So Obama and Modi had agreed to "elevate our commercial and economic partnership as part of the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue to advance our shared prosperity."

Biswal said the U.S. was optimistic that the many challenges to creating the investment climate and innovation economy that will power India's growth in the 21st century can be overcome.

Modi and Obama, she noted had agreed that the two "countries will continue to work together on our ambitious. energy and environment goals by renewing and expanding a five-year MOU on Energy Security, Clean Energy, and Climate Change."

They also committed to work together towards a successful climate agreement in Paris and pledged to work toward the goal of phasing down hydrofluorocarbons under the Montreal Protocol, Biswal said.

U.S. assistance programmes in India are a model for making "a little go a long way," she said noting "by leveraging the private sector and Indian resources, we are getting sizable outcomes out of small inputs."

"Our programmes connect to India's public and private sectors to jointly achieve development gains in a cost-effective manner in India and in third countries, where India's achievements stand to jump-start development results," Biswal said.

"This model of assistance - which positions India as a development lab with global reach - combines U.S. and Indian innovation and best practices, which can be road-tested and refined in India and then exported to developing countries in Africa and Asia," she said.

In keeping with both U.S. and Indian priorities, the U.S.AID programme focuses on four key areas: health, energy and environment, education, and food security, Biswal said.

"With nearly 2 billion people, a growing middle class, an entrepreneurial culture, and a resurgent Indian economy, South Asia will play an increasingly important role in the Asian growth story," she said.

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