Richard Verma expresses optimism about the future of India-US bilateral relationship

NEW DELHI: Outgoing US Ambassador to India Richard Verma, in his last media interaction here on Thursday night, expressed optimism about the future of India-US bilateral relationship even as he refrained from trajectory of ties under the Trump administration.

Verma, however, cautioned that getting 'complacent' regarding future of ties is also not the answer.

He was guarded in his response to terrorism and said that the number one problem that confronts the people of the United States, India and even Pakistan is terrorism.

The ambassador listed the achievements that both the nations have made in these last few years.

He quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that, "And India has, as the Prime Minister says, "overcome the hesitations of history" concluding with the United States a defense logistics agreement, a shared network to exchange information on foreign terrorists, and issuing final approval for multiple long pending defense sales."

He reiterated the fact that the US has been "proud to support India’s emergence as a leading power committed to the preservation of the rules-based international order.

With reference to Afghanistan which remains of great strategic interest to both India and the US, the envoy was not in agreement with the view that Russia was trying to squeeze out the US. "I don't see Afghanistan as a proxy battle between the US and Russia".

US President-elect Donald Trump is all set to take charge tomorrow and all politically appointed ambassadors including Verma have been asked to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day.

Verma emphasised on tradition of openness in the US society and reality of migration of people in what could be seen as veiled indictment of Trump's policies.
Earlier in the day, United States President Barack Obama called Prime Minister Modi in a farewell call. Both the leaders reviewed "joint efforts of cooperation including defense, civil nuclear energy, and enhanced people-to-people ties", according to a statement issued by the White House. Obama recalled his visit to India as chief guest at India’s Republican Day celebrations in 2015 and congratulated Modi on the upcoming 68th Republic Day Anniversary.