2022 huge year for U.S.-India ties, 2023 to be even bigger: White House

Reflecting on his views on the India-U.S. relationship, Jon Finer reiterated the administration’s commitment to it and said 2022 and 2023 are two critical years for this

In the history of India-US ties, 2022 has been a huge year and the next year will be even bigger, a top White House official has said, asserting that the Biden administration sees this alliance as among the most consequential relationships for America anywhere in the world.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer also applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being instrumental in forging a consensus during the recently concluded G-20 Summit in Indonesia’s Bali province.

“Looking around the world when the United States and (its) President (Joe) Mr. Biden look for partners that can truly help carry the load, truly helped move forward a global agenda, India and Prime Minister Modi are very high on that list,” Mr. Finer told a gathering of several hundred Indian-Americans here on Sunday.

“We just saw this in real-time at the G-20 where the Prime Minister was instrumental in forging a consensus around a joint statement among a far-flung group of countries and in the comments and work that the prime minister has done and others in the Indian government have done to highlight the increasing risk related to nuclear issues,” Mr. Finer said.

Also Read | Modi, Biden review India-U.S. ties during their meeting in Bali

This relationship is being steered by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden who have met more than 15 times, the latest one being in Bali last week, said India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, addressing the gathering at a lunch reception hosted by him to celebrate the ‘Festival Season’.

The unique event organised by the Embassy of India showcased the syncretic nature of Indian culture. The event saw festivals of different faiths - from Diwali to Hanukkah, Eid to Bodhi day, and from Gurpurab to Christmas celebrated with aplomb.