US supports India’s emergence as a great power: White House ahead of PM Modi visit

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival to the United States on an official state visit, John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, said on Tuesday that Washington supported “India’s emergence as a great power”.

“This is a big week here at the White House. This visit will affirm the strong ties between our two countries (US and India) and elevate our strategic partnership. We are looking to improve and deepen the defence cooperation between India and USA. We support India’s emergence as a great power,” said Kirby giving a preview of PM Modi’s state visit.

Kirby added added US believed in a safe, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region with India by its side. “So it makes sense to look for ways to improve our defence cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left India for a two-nation trip, starting with his first official state visit to the United States from June 21-24, followed by Egypt. He will land at JFK Airport, where a group of Indian-Americans are all set to greet him.

Before departing for the US in the morning, he said his visit will be an opportunity to enrich the depth and diversity of the India-America partnership. “This special invitation is a reflection of the vigour and vitality of the partnership between the democracies (India and the US). I am confident that my visit to the US will reinforce our ties based on shared values of democracy, diversity and freedom. Together we stand stronger in meeting the shared global challenges,” PM Modi’s departure statement stated.