India remains key ally in Indo-Pacific, says White House amid strengthening US ties
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The United States reaffirmed India's pivotal role as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasising the close ties between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday (US local time), Leavitt was responding to questions from ANI, where she described India as a vital ally. “India remains a very strategic ally in the Asia Pacific and the President has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that,” she said.
Leavitt's comments came alongside confirmation that the two nations are nearing a long-anticipated trade agreement.
When asked about the progress of the deal, she noted, “Yes, the President said that last week (that the US and India are very close to a trade deal), and it remains true. I just spoke to our Secretary of Commerce about it. He was in the Oval Office with the President. They are finalising these agreements, and you'll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India.”
These developments come as India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is in the United States to participate in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting. During his visit, Jaishankar inaugurated a United Nations exhibition titled "The Human Cost of Terrorism", drawing global attention to the impact of state-sponsored terrorism.
The QUAD, a strategic alliance among the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, is focused on promoting a free, stable, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The partnership originated from the coordinated humanitarian response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Further strengthening diplomatic ties, President Trump recently accepted Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to attend the upcoming QUAD Summit in New Delhi later this year.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking about a conversation between the two leaders during the G7 Summit in Canada, confirmed Trump’s acceptance. “For the next meeting of QUAD, PM Modi invited President Trump to India. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India,” Misri said in a video statement.
