Classifying India as a major regional and international power, a senior Official revealed that the US desires to fortify the bilateral relations of the two countries, as India carries great potential and common interest.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Robert Scher, said, "We view our relationship with India as a partnership of equals-two nation states with a commonality of security interests in the Indian Ocean region and beyond".

He said that the most significant step of the US in developing its defense relationship with India is the creation of the mutual trust and understanding among the two nations to ensure the achievement of common goal.

Both India and the US want liberty in navigation and unrestrained sea lines of communication, predominantly in the Indian Ocean, and both the nations have been playing a significant role in developing multilateral collaborations in Asia, he said.

Scher stated that the US will be looking forward to see India’s efforts in supporting and preserving the security in the region and around the world. Both the countries favour a secure and comprehensive economy, they believe in democracy, and human rights, so these common interests make them the natural partners.