US diplomat Stephen Biegun says Washington keen to advance India’s interests, calling China ‘elephant in the room’
- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said China’s increasingly assertive actions across the region make it more critical than ever for the Quad to cooperate
- Washington has increasingly criticised Beijing over the coronavirus, trade, technology, Hong Kong, Taiwan and human rights
A top US envoy on Monday called China “an elephant in the room” and said Washington is keen to advance India’s interests across the Indo-Pacific region.
Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said the US was exploring ways to empower India without altering what he called New Delhi’s “strong and proud tradition of strategic autonomy.”
Biegun spoke in New Delhi at the opening session of the India-US Forum after his three-day visit to India kicked off on Monday.
“India has a strong and proud tradition of strategic autonomy, and we respect that. We do not seek to change India’s traditions,” he said. “Rather we want to explore how to empower them and India’s ability to defend its own sovereignty and democracy and to advance Indian interests, across the Indo-Pacific region.”
In that direction, Washington has increased its foreign military sales and intelligence sharing with India, the number two US diplomat said.
“But there is more that we can do, including strengthening India’s ability to defend itself and by promoting interoperability among our militaries,” he said.