A top US official said the Trump Administration plans to continue to expand its defense and security cooperation with India and support New Delhi's growing relationships throughout South Asia. Meanwhile when speaking to reporters Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells said the US-India strategic partnership was based on a shared commitment to uphold the rule of law and free and fair trade among other things.
Wells said "The US-India strategic partnership stands firmly upon a shared commitment to uphold the rule of law, freedom of navigation, democratic values, and free and fair trade. They plan to continue to expand our defense and security cooperation and support India's growing relationships throughout the region".
Wells said that Energy Secretary Rick Perry's recent visit to New Delhi
for the Strategic Energy Partnership "elevates the role of energy in
advancing shared goals. He added “Their collaboration in oil and gas,
renewable, coal, and civil nuclear cooperation is helping to improve India's
energy security and support its inclusive development while supporting
thousands of US jobs and reducing our trade deficit".
