Kurt Campbell, the White House's Indo-Pacific adviser, stated that the US has decided to strengthen its partnership with India as well as to offer New Delhi alternatives on security issues at a time when the global order is changing and security challenges are emerging as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The official added that the US's relationship with India is currently "most important" in the twenty-first century.
In a panel discussion at Washington's Center for a New American Security (CNAS), US, he stated, "I think there are always challenges in our bilateral relationship, the key is to remain purposeful to understand that the most important relationship, in my view, for the United States in the 21st century is likely to be with India.
The top American policymaker stated, "We need to make it institutionally clear that we're going to scale up our ties across the Indian government, greater intelligence links, stronger trade and economic links."
He added, "It is ridiculous to believe that you will have total alignment among four dynamic nations on every subject." He was responding to various policy responses by QUAD (Australia, India, Japan, and US) partners to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Campbell defended India's neutral posture on the crisis by stating that the US is secretly speaking with New Delhi's leadership and trying to make it known that it wants to develop a "stronger relationship with them over time."
"We need to work with countries like Great Britain, France, and Israel to assist India find alternatives to American capabilities on the security front. In order to provide India more options when it comes to security and defence, we are collaborating with other nations, the White House official stated.
He continued by stating that the development of a solid alliance between the US and India has advanced. Even while it may be challenging, the US and India must work together, Campbell said, "not just at the presidential-Prime Minister level, but also through institutions like the 2+2 discussion.
Campbell also made mention of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue between the heads of state and government in charge of defence and diplomacy, praising the meetings as "outstanding" and noting that the two democracies "were able to talk about a range of issues" aimed at fostering engagement and cooperation.
"I believe that the United States and India will become much closer allies over the longer run."
The Russian-Ukrainian war, which broke out earlier this year, has brought attention to India's strategically autonomous foreign policy. Given New Delhi's growing cooperation with Washington in the Quad grouping, many had thought that India would have sided with Ukraine and opposed Russia.
"However, I believe it is evident from our interactions and chats that our Indian friends are aware of the seriousness of the situation developing in Ukraine. Therefore, I believe that what we have attempted to do in a responsible manner is to engage Indian colleagues in private in an effort to explain very clearly that over time, we want to create a deeper relationship with India."
Campbell also emphasised that Israel and other friends of the US, such as the UK, France, and Israel, will assist India in finding security-related options.
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