Washington: Two influential American Senators, along with leaders from the corporate world, have emphasized the need to strengthen ties with India, especially in the defense sector. Speaking at the annual Leadership Summit of the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), Senator Steve Daines highlighted the importance of deepening the relationship between India and the United States.

"We want India and the United States to be the very best of friends with the deepest relationships," Senator Daines stated during a fireside chat with John Chambers and Senator Dan Sullivan.

Senator Daines underscored the significance of clarity in identifying allies and fostering strong relationships. "I think globally it's so important here that we have clarity around who the good guys are and how we want to perpetuate these relationships and strengthen relationships. And the good guys are the United States and India," he added.

Senator Dan Sullivan echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the geopolitical challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. "I think this new era, it's really a return to the era of authoritarian aggression, is going to be with us for years and decades to come," he remarked.

Referring to the QUAD alliance (US, India, Japan, and Australia), Senator Sullivan stressed the importance of expanding and solidifying relationships across various areas. "To me, the good news that exists between the US-India relationship on the defense side can cover the whole gamut of what we need in terms of technologies, but also what we need in terms of basic warfighting capability," he explained.

John Chambers, chairman of USISPF, highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a significant area of cooperation between the two countries. "AI presents the two countries a chance to come together closer and to have a whole vision of what's going to occur," he mentioned.

Addressing the economic and strategic aspects of the relationship, Chambers spoke optimistically about India's future. "Not only will India become the number one economy in the world, but India will probably by the end of this century, and I think it will be India's century of the future," he said.

Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of USISPF, emphasized the importance of the people-to-people aspect of the India-US relationship. "It's important that this relationship is defined, not just purely on technology, is defined on geopolitics, is defined on economic opportunity, but more important is defined on people to people," he stated.

In addition, Henry Kravis, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chairman of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co., was honored with the 2024 Global Leadership Award for his unwavering commitment to enhancing the US-India relationship.

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