Pentagon claims 'long term' strategic partnership with India

WASHINGTON: As the United States under the Obama Administration re-balances its defence posture in the Asia Pacific region, the Pentagon has told the Congress it is investing in "long term" strategic partnership with India.

"The United States is investing in a long-term strategic partnership with India to support its ability to serve as a regional economic anchor and provider of security in the broader Indian Ocean region," the US Department of Defence informed the Congress yesterday in its annual budgetary proposals of USD 526.6 billion for the fiscal year 2014, beginning October 1, 2013.

Noting that building partnership capacity elsewhere in the world remains important for sharing costs and responsibilities of global leadership, the Pentagon said it will have a global presence, which emphasizes the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, while still ensuring its ability to maintain defence commitments to Europe and strengthening alliance and partnerships across all regions.

The country will remain committed to Israel's security and a comprehensive Middle East peace, the Department of Finance said.

"We will maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula by effectively working with allies and other regional states to deter and defend against provocation form North Korea which actively pursuing a nuclear weapons program," it said.

Observing that its commitment to the Asia-Pacific region is part of a broader US Government focus, the Pentagon said key enhancements or protected investments in fiscal 2014 include continuing high-level, frequent visits by senior Department leaders to the region.