Washington: India is the “biggest strategic opportunity” for the US with New Delhi showing more openness to strengthen bilateral security ties, a top Pentagon commander has said, underlining a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order.
Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, that the Quad, comprising India, US, Japan and Australia – is an important idea of like-minded nations that can go after the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his prepared testimony, Harris said the US and India are natural partners on a range of political, economic, and security issues.
“I think India is the biggest strategic opportunity for the US. We share democratic values, we share the same concerns, and we operate more frequently in the Indo-Pacific region together,” Harris said.
He said with a mutual desire for global stability and support for the rules-based international order, the US and India have an increasing convergence of interests, including maritime security and domain awareness, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and coordinated responses to natural disasters and transnational threats.
Noting that India will be among the US’ most significant partners in the years to come due to its growing influence and expanding military, Harris said as a new generation of political leaders emerge, India has shown that it is more open to strengthening security ties with the US and adjusting its historic policy of non-alignment to address common strategic interests.
