Speaking at the Ananta Centre in Delhi on Tuesday, Elbridge Colby, the Under Secretary for Policy, or the deputy secretary of defense, referred to India as a key partner in maintaining a stable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. He also referred to India as not only being important but also being essential in creating Asia’s future.
Colby openly praised Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar's book and his vision of "India First" and "India Way." He said, "What Jaishankar has said is exceptionally correct."
Colby emphasized that America's "flexible realism" and "America First" policy are deeply aligned with India's "India First" and "India Way." Both countries believe in a realistic, national interest-based, and hard-headed foreign policy. Colby is visiting India amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Both sides have reported that Colby is in New Delhi to discuss concrete policy developments regarding the February 2025 agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump to advance defense ties.
It is also believed that he will discuss with Indian officials how to better coordinate between India and the United States in light of the West Asian tensions.
Colby's speech at an event here on Tuesday is also being watched with considerable interest. In this speech, he specifically highlighted the future of India-US strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Due to the ongoing dispute between India and the US over trade and differences on several other issues since last year, there is currently a discussion in diplomatic circles that the Indo-Pacific region is not a priority for the US. This is Colby's first visit to India, and tomorrow he will chair a meeting of the Defense Policy Group.
Indian foreign policy experts believe that Colby's statement is a strong indication of the alignment of "India First" with US policy, and that the defense and strategic partnership between the two countries is likely to deepen in the coming years.
Colby said, "India's geographical location, strategic autonomy, vast military capabilities, and growing economic strength make it indispensable for maintaining balance in Asia. We view India as a strong, self-confident, and autonomous power, not a dependent country."
Colby further stated that the interests of both countries are deeply intertwined in preventing the dominance of any single power in Asia, open trade, and national autonomy.
Colby spoke about further strengthening defense cooperation, pledging to expand cooperation in areas such as long-range precision weapons, maritime awareness, anti-submarine warfare, and advanced technology.
Emphasizing defense industrial cooperation, he said that the United States fully supports India's efforts to develop its indigenous defense industry. There is significant potential for co-production and co-development between the two countries.
Colby clearly acknowledged that while the two countries may not agree on every issue, there is scope for deeper cooperation based on strategic interests. He said, "Our partnership is not based on outdated formalities, but on solid and enduring strategic interests."
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