‘India’s Foreign Policy Shifting From Passive To One Which Vigorously Advances Its Interests’: Top US Diplomat

Top United States (US) diplomat Alice Wells on Friday (24 January) said that India is moving away from pursuing a passive foreign policy to one which vigorously advances its interests, reports The Hindu.

Acknowledging India's broadening strategic horizons over the past two decades, US State Department’s Acting Assistant Secretary Wells asserted that nowhere has such a shift in foreign policy been more visible than in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Whether it’s in our growing maritime and naval cooperation, the Quad, India’s Act East Policy, there’s virtually no daylight in our approaches to the Indo-Pacific,” she said.

The US diplomat said the quality and frequency of India-US naval cooperation, especially the information sharing, have reached unprecedented levels.

The two countries also remain focused on achieving a trade deal that promotes fairness and reciprocity, she noted.

Wells, who serves as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, had recently visited India and met with top officials. During her visit she had also participated in the Raisina Hills Dialogue.