White House news Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized India’s position as a “very strategic ally” in the Indo-Pacific region during a recent news conference, highlighting the United States and India’s strong and strategic partnership.
The close personal relationship between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was highlighted by Leavitt, who said that the President “has a very good relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and he will continue to have that” when discussing China’s influence in the region.
These comments highlight the continued diplomatic ties between the two nations and coincide with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the US for the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
A free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific is the main goal of the QUAD, which is made up of the US, India, Australia, and Japan. It began with coordinated relief operations after the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, but it has since developed into a major forum for economic and security cooperation in the region.
Leavitt acknowledged that talks on a possible trade agreement between the US and India were almost finished at the time of her remarks. “They are finalising these agreements, and you’ll hear from the President and his trade team very soon when it comes to India,” she said, indicating that the two countries’ economic ties would soon advance.
As the US looks to offset China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific, the White House has reiterated India’s significance. India is an important ally for the US in this region because of its strategic location and dedication to regional security, freedom of passage, and a rules-based system.
To further solidify the high-level engagement and shared commitment to Indo-Pacific security and prosperity, President Trump has also accepted Prime Minister Modi’s offer to attend the QUAD Summit in New Delhi.
As both countries navigate complex regional dynamics and strive for greater economic and security cooperation, the White House’s remarks demonstrate a growing US-India partnership that is based on both strong personal ties at the leadership level and shared strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
