The White House has said that India remains a “major strategic partner” for the United States regardless of its stance on any particular crisis or contingency around the world, including the Middle East – which is a hotbed of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. There is a signal.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, John Kirby, coordinator of strategic communications in the National Security Council at the White House, said the US is dedicated to advancing its partnership with India every day, news agency PTI reported.
The White House’s comments come ahead of the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to India for the 5th India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“India is a major strategic partner, and I think you demonstrated that in full when Prime Minister Modi was here. But we will leave it to the Government of India and the Prime Minister as to what stance they will take on any issue. “Special crises or contingencies around the world, including the Middle East. They (India) remain a major strategic partner. And we are dedicated to advancing that partnership every day,” Kirby said.
#Watch , John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, on PM Modi’s US visit Indian Government and Prime Minister will leave… pic.twitter.com/ajWGGV1MRU
– ANI (@ANI) 8 November 2023
Kirby’s comments are in line with what another senior State Department official said earlier this month. According to News18 report, Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, emphasized that India and America have a common goal to prevent the spread of the current conflict in the Middle East.
India has historically supported a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. However, India abstained in the UN General Assembly vote in October on a resolution calling for a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza.
More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the war between the Palestinian organization Hamas and Israel. About 1,400 Israelis have also lost their lives in this conflict.
