- Friday, February 28, 2025
John Kirby acknowledged the challenges presented by China to both India and the US but stressed that the focus was on strengthening bilateral ties rather than using India as a counterweight.
By: India Weekly Staff
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi’s just concluded maiden state visit to the United States aimed to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation between the two largest democracies, rather than focusing on India as a counterweight to China, according to a top White House official.
During his visit, the Indian leader held extensive discussions with president Joe Biden and addressed the joint session of the US Congress before departing for Egypt.
John Kirby, coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, clarified that the purpose of the visit was not to leverage India as a counterweight against China. He emphasised that India is a sovereign nation with its own foreign policy and its own challenges in dealing with China, both at its doorstep and in the broader region.
“But this wasn’t about leveraging India to be some sort of counterweight. India is a sovereign independent state. They have their own foreign policy that they have to manage. And they live in a tough neighbourhood,” Kirby told reporters at a news conference in Washington on Friday (23).
Kirby acknowledged the challenges presented by China to both India and the US, which were indeed on the agenda during the visit, but he stressed that the focus was on strengthening bilateral ties rather than using India as a counterweight.
He highlighted India’s increasing role as an exporter of security, a development welcomed by the US. The two countries have been working together on defense cooperation, including co-production of jet engines and India’s purchase of MQ-9 drones. The emphasis is on enhancing security cooperation, and the US sees great potential for collaboration in this area.
The White House official also noted that India faces its own challenges with China and addresses them independently. He highlighted India’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Quad, a multilateral forum that addresses regional concerns. Kirby clarified that the Quad is not a formal military alliance but a platform for addressing shared concerns in the Indo-Pacific region.
In his address to the US Congress, Modi indirectly referred to China’s aggressive military actions in the Indo-Pacific region, expressing concerns about “coercion and confrontation”. He stressed the importance of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, anchored in international law and ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) centrality, and free from domination. Modi also highlighted the role of the Quad as a force for good in the region.
Regarding human rights concerns in India, Kirby stated that Biden had the opportunity to discuss those concerns with Modi during their meeting. He said that the US does not shy away from discussing human rights with foreign leaders, and open and honest dialogue is a hallmark of partnerships and friendships.
(With agency inputs)
