What did U.S. Secretary of State Blinken say about India

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and referred to India as an extraordinary success story during the recent visit to New Delhi. Here are the key points Blinken made about India:

• Modi's leadership: Blinken hailed Prime Minister Modi's leadership and commended him for his commitment to democratic values and his efforts to strengthen the U.S.-India partnership.
• Strong partnership: Blinken emphasized the deepening ties between the two nations, highlighting the comprehensive bilateral relationship across various sectors, including defense, trade, and technology.
• COVID-19 cooperation: He acknowledged India's significant role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including the country's vaccine production and distribution efforts.
• Economic growth: Blinken acknowledged India's impressive economic growth and expressed support for its aspiration to play a leading role in global supply chains and contribute to the post-pandemic economic recovery.
• Regional stability: The Secretary of State recognized India's vital role in maintaining regional stability, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region, and emphasized the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• Democracy and human rights: While recognizing India's democratic values, Blinken also stressed the importance of protecting human rights and religious freedom, emphasizing the need to respect and strengthen these fundamental principles.

Overall, Blinken's comments highlighted the significance of the U.S.-India partnership and praised India's achievements while also raising concerns about certain issues such as human rights and religious freedom.