US for Greater Inter-operability of Forces With India

Kolkata: Pitching for greater inter-operability of forces with India as major defence partners in the Indo-Pacific region, US Ambassador Kenneth I Juster on Wednesday said his country had always had zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism.

"We seek to assist in India's efforts to build up its indigenous defence capabilities and also to enhance the inter-operability of the two countries' forces as major defence partners in the Into-Pacific region," he said at the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) in Kolkata.

The export of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan was a concern for the US also, Juster said, adding, "We have zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism and it depends on the two countries (India and Pakistan) to resolve the issue in a peaceful manner."

The US ambassador welcomed India's leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and said his country was committed to maintaining stability and the economic rise of the nations in region.

Stressing the importance of the economic relationship between India and the US, Juster said there was ample scope for increasing the bilateral trade.

The bilateral trade between the two countries increased from USD 20 billion to USD 115 billion in 2016, he said, adding that the flow of goods and services both ways could help bring in a balance.

Juster also exhorted India to seize the strategic opportunity to become a major hub for American businesses in the Indo-Pacific region.

He sought an increased purchase by India of US military equipment, including some of the advanced ones. The US, Juster said, was also eyeing India's growing digital economy, healthcare services, environmental technology, energy, travel, tourism and education.

To a question, he said India was a multi-ethnic and pluralistic society and this posed certain challenges. "The US does not make any investment decisions based on these issues, but on the sector, the regulatory environment and government policies," he added.

On the prospects of more American companies investing in the eastern region of the country, particularly in West Bengal, the US ambassador said there was a need to create a right environment, infrastructure and connectivity.