Kurt Campbell Calls US-India Ties 'Most Important Bilateral Relationship On Planet', Praises PM Modi's Leadership

The coordinator for Indio-Pacific affairs at the US National Security Council, Kurt Campbell, has described the relationship between the US and India as the most important.

He believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US has successfully elevated this critical bilateral relationship to the next level.

During an interview with ANI, Campbell expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in the bilateral relationship of the two countries, stating, "We together successfully took this critical bilateral relationship to the next level. For me, it's the most important bilateral relationship on the planet and it has clearly ascended to the top layer..."

Campbell acknowledged that India is highly sought after on the global stage, with numerous countries seeking to strengthen their trade, technology, and people-to-people relationships with India. He emphasized that the United States has taken significant steps to further develop the relationship between the two countries.

According to Campbell, both the US and India have a long list of tasks to accomplish, but they now have a much better sense of confidence in how to proceed.

In response to a query about USA's comments on democracy and human rights in India, Campbell praised PM Modi as one of the most effective and popular democratically elected leaders globally. He acknowledged that every society, including the US and India, faces challenges and imperfections.

Campbell emphasized that the US does not believe in lecturing any other country, recognizing Modi's efforts to bring India into the 21st century.

Campbell strongly condemned the Khalistani attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. He assured that the US authorities have been closely cooperating with Indian authorities and local law enforcement.

Campbell expressed deep regret over these events and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of diplomats living in the US, particularly the Indian diplomatic community.

Regarding the internal deliberations between President Biden and PM Modi, Campbell noted that Biden encouraged India to be an example in various areas to reach its full potential. He highlighted the level of trust and confidence between the two leaders, finding it inspiring and essential for further progress.

Discussing India's stance on Russia, Campbell acknowledged India's principled stands on various issues. He mentioned that PM Modi has spoken out against the devastation and tragedy faced by the Ukrainian people due to the war.

He highlighted the concerns of Indian friends and colleagues regarding Russia's conduct in the conflict, recognizing their belief that Russia has handled the war poorly on multiple levels.

India's loyalty towards Russia is a significant factor in shaping its perspective, according to Campbell. In this regard, he also mentioned that the US has actively collaborated with India to expand its sources of nuclear equipment.

While the China aspect holds importance for both countries, Campbell believes that it alone is insufficient to achieve the desired goals in the India-US relationship. He emphasized that there are numerous other factors that have propelled the partnership forward, many of which were evident during PM Modi's visit.

During his three-day state visit to the US, PM Modi had engaged in multiple meetings with President Joe Biden, delivered a speech to members of the US Congress, and interacted with leading CEOs from Silicon Valley.

This visit marked his first state visit to the US in nine years.