The US recognises India as a major defence partner partly out of respect for New Delhi’s indispensable role in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean region, Defence Secretary James Mattis has said.
The US is exploring new ways to address new challenges as well from maritime security to the growing threat posed by the spread of terrorism in Southeast Asia, Mattis said in his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
According to a Defense Department transcripts, he said, US recognise India, the most populous democracy in the world, as a major defence partner. He further mentioned that US did so in part out of respect for India’s indispensable role in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean region.
Mattis called upon all countries to contribute sufficiently to their own security. Mattis said one of the top priorities of the Defense Department is to empower countries in the region so they can be even stronger contributors to their own peace and stability.
By Baishakhi Dutta
