(VOVworld) - The US and India have agreed to strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation carry through President Barack Obama’s statement in January that the US considers India its essential partner in Asia-Pacific. The agreement was reached at the 3^rd strategic dialogue between US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton and Indian Foreign Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna. VOV editor Hong Van summarizes.  

Photo: The daily star

At the talks, the US expressed satisfaction with the preliminary agreement signed between Westinghouse Electric Company and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, which paves the way for construction of the new Westinghouse reactors in India. The US Secretary of State said she considered it a significant step forwards for cooperation and the implementation of the bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in 2008. 

In economics term, Ms. Clinton said two way trade and investment may surpass 100 billion USD this year, a 40% increase since 2009. Washington also expects New Delhi to reduce tariff barriers in the retail sector.  Regarding defense cooperation, the US Secretary of State said defence trade between the two countries has reached more than 8 billion USD over the past 5 years, making a giant leap forward.

Acknowledging positive outcomes of the talks, Indian Foreign Minister Krishna said the two countries have built friendship, good-will, confidence and mutual trust in their strategic ties. The top Indian diplomat also admitted that the strategic dialogue is an excellent opportunity to discuss all areas of cooperation. He added that India plans to invest 1 trillion USD in its infrastructure over the next 5 years, which will create business opportunities for US companies.

Results from the meeting have reflected the broadened US-India ties and help realize Washington’s wish to make it one of the most important partnerships in the 21^st century. Ms. Clinton expressed her hope that New Delhi will cooperate to advance its ties with the US. Robert Blake, Assistant to US Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, says the US has invested a great deal of time and energy to boost ties with India, which the US believes will become a world power.

Analysts say it’s no coincidence that the US-India ties are as warm as they are now considering that both sides gain great benefits from further cooperation. Working together with India, the US can protect oil transport marine routes from the Middle East to Japan and South Korea. India with its population of 1.2 billion people is considered counter-balanced to China. Meanwhile, India relies on ties with US to access capital and technologies particularly nuclear and space technologies. The US is also an export market for India’s Information Technology, pharmaceutical products, garment and textiles and automobile spare parts.

The US-India ties have entered a state of maturity based on shared strategic interests. The 3^rd strategic dialogue as part of diplomatic events between the two countries over the past month, and which followed the visits to India by US Secretaries of State and Defence, will provide momentum for future US-India ties.