Chennai: India and the US have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and their ability to work together has a positive impact in effectively addressing regional and global challenges, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava made the assertion in response to questions over a declassified document of the outgoing Trump administration which said that a strong India, in cooperation with like-minded countries, would act as a ‘counterbalance’ to China in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

“A question on the US government report should be asked to the US government spokesperson. However, I will state that India and the US share a comprehensive strategic global partnership and given our substantial bilateral agenda, our growing economic engagement and a convergence on strategic and security interests, both countries have a common interest in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond,” Srivastava said.

“Our ability to work together has a positive impact in effectively addressing regional and global challenges,” he said at an online briefing.

India maintains the capacity to counter border provocations by China, said the US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific.

A strong India, in cooperation with like-minded countries, would act as a counterbalance to China, the document said.