US lauds India, says the two are on the same page on combating terrorism

The US has hailed India for playing a prominent role in the international community. "We welcome India not just because it is consequential because we share and often promote norms about a rules-based order," the Press Trust of India quoted Peter Lavoy, the White House's point person for South Asia, as saying.

He elaborated how the US and India are on the same page and view acts of terrorism as a threat to global peace and security. He said the two countries share values of democracy, justice and the rule of law.

He said the US welcomes India's "effective and prominent role" in a wide range of global issues, including climate change, health, peace-keeping efforts, maritime security and cyber governance.

He said the Indo-US partnership has come a long way in recent years under the Obama administration during which there has been a growing convergence of views.

"We are handing over to the next team, a major defence partnership with India," he added.

He said India-US ties, especially in defence, have matured much better in the last eight years compared to how they were under previous governments.

But the best is yet to come, he said, while stressing the "vibrant dimensions" of the two countries relationship.

"There is no country in the world that we are supporting in this manner as an emerging global defence leader. This is unique," the White House official said. "Never in our history have we supported an indigenous aircraft programme in any other country."

He said maritime security has been a crucial area of collaboration between Delhi and Washington.

Besides India, he said three other regions have gained similar momentum in cooperation with the US: Afghanistan, Asia Pacific and Africa.

The Pentagon has sought India's help in providing financial aid and military support to the Afghan government in its offensive against the Taliban and Islamic State militants.

Lavoy said India and the US have a "shared" interest in Afghanistan and that Delhi has played a prominent role in trying to bring stability to the war-torn country.

India recently committed to provide more than $2bn in assistance, he said. In addition, the US had asked for India's help to repair and service Russian-made aircraft, including providing attack helicopters.