Washington:
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, the White House has said that America's relations with India and Pakistan are of different nature but it is certainly eager to deepen the strategic partnership with India.
“We seek to have an effective partnership with each country. With India, we’re building that strategic partnership. We see India’s role and influence growing. We like to encourage that trend. So, we’re looking for ways to cooperate on our mutual interests,” a senior administration official told reporters at a news conference in Washington.
“With Pakistan, we seek to have a productive partnership working together. But frankly, the priorities are different, and the nature of the relationships are different. So, I think that we would like to move forward with both countries,” the official added.
Briefing about the discussion that would take place during Modi-Trump meeting, the White House said the civil nuclear deal would be part of the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, emphasising that the US was looking forward to its nuclear reactors contributing to India’s energy security.
“In terms of the actual deals, the US is still looking forward to US-built nuclear reactors contributing to India’s energy security. We think that this civil nuclear partnership will bolster India’s energy security, create jobs and trade opportunities for the American people.
“So we’re still very much interested in seeing this deal move forward,” a senior administration official told reporters ahead of PM Modi’s visit to US on June 26.
