India's new left-leaning government wants to rapidly build up ties with the United States, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday after talks with Indian counterpart Natwar Singh.
"The most important issue we touched on was the fact that the United States and India have a strong relationship right now and we intend to not only keep it strong but to build on that relationship, to move forward," Powell told reporters after the talks. Powell said Singh told him he "planned to move very, very fast" and "I said I'll do my best to keep up with him."
It was the first visit to the United States by a minister in India's new government, which in a policy statement Monday said it would try to foster "multi-polarity" with the world while maintaining close ties with Washington.
Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, whose Hindu nationalist-led coalition suffered an upset defeat in April-May elections, had a warm relationship with the United States, which he visited four times while in office.
Powell said it was in the interest of the American and Indian peoples that "we move forward in our economic and security relationships and we stay in close touch with one another."
Powell also dismissed any notion that Washington had banked on a victory for Vajpayee's coalition in the elections.
"We don't place bets on elections. I have learned that long ago," Powell said. "We will support and work with the government which the Indian people have decided upon."
Singh said US-India relations had expanded in scope and depth and "my government is determined to work closely with the US administration to take the partnership forward in all areas".
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