Trump visit will solidify India-US partnership: Amb Sandhu

It is a time of tremendous potential in the India-US relationship, and both nations are looking forward to continued partnership in the months ahead, said the envoy at a welcome reception hosted by US-India Business Council, a business advocacy group, here on Thursday.

"This extraordinary partnership, between India and the United States, is very much, a work in progress," said the envoy at a welcome reception hosted by US-India Business Council, a business advocacy group, here on Thursday, adding that President Trump's visit "will help to solidify the partnership across all spheres."

Trump will be in New Delhi and Ahmedabad on February 24-25 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ambassador Sandhu said Prime Minister Modi has set an ambitious target of India becoming a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024. "The United States, is a preferred partner, in that endeavour."

Two-way trade , between India and US has been growing at 10 per cent on a year-to-year basis, and has reached $160 billion in 2019.Two-way investment has reached $60 billion in 2018.

Over 200 Indian companies, have invested $18 billion in the US, creating more than 100,000 direct jobs. More than 2000 US companies, have a presence in India.

Sandhu said defence and energy co-operation have been the game changer in the bilateral relationship which is being seen as the "most transformational" relationship.

The defence defence trade is valued at approximately $18 billion, with potential to grow much more.

In 2016, the US recognised India as a Major Defence Partner, opening the doors for extended co-operation. By signing agreements, such as LEMOA and COM CASA, both sides have created an enabling framework, for greater co-operation.

"During the 2+2 Meeting, in December 2019, we announced the signing of the Industrial Security Annex," he said.

There are growing opportunities for businesses in defence."The energy trade has touched close to $8 billion last year.In 2017, the two countries elevated the energy partnership to a strategic energy partnership," he said.

Prime Minister Modi in his address address to the joint session of the US Congress in 2016 said that India-US relationship was primed for a momentous future, as both sides have overcome the "hesitations of history."

"Since then, we have seen, that our relationship has evolved into a global strategic partnership. We are co-ordinating and co-operating, in multiple spheres: in counter-terrorism; defence; Indo-Pacific; science and technology; trade and investment," said Sandhu.

Image credit : UNI