NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — A senior Pentagon official said Tuesday that India will play a central role in shaping a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting deepening U.S.-India strategic ties and shared interests in regional stability.
Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, described India as a major force in global affairs. He spoke at an event hosted by the Ananta Centre in New Delhi. Colby said India’s size, geography, and growing military and economic strength make it essential to the Indo-Pacific balance of power. He called India a “republic of continental scale” and said its decisions will shape the future of the region and beyond. He stressed that Washington sees India not just as a partner, but as a key pillar in maintaining long-term stability in Asia.
Colby emphasized that the U.S.-India relationship rests on practical cooperation. He said both countries focus on results and shared interests rather than ideology.
“We recognize that India has its own strategic culture and priorities,” Colby said. “That is what we want.”
He noted that India values strategic autonomy and often acts independently on global issues. The United States, he said, respects this approach and seeks to work with India where interests align.
Colby also referenced remarks by Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s external affairs minister. He said Jaishankar’s idea of the “India Way” aligns with U.S. thinking on global strategy. Both countries, Colby said, believe in defending national interests with confidence. He added that this shared mindset creates a strong foundation for cooperation.
Colby outlined key areas where the United States and India are working together. These include defense cooperation, military capability development, and defense industry partnerships. He said both nations must move beyond agreements and focus on real-world outcomes. The goal, he added, is to strengthen their ability to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific.
He highlighted cooperation in areas such as long-range precision systems, maritime domain awareness, and anti-submarine warfare. He also pointed to advanced technologies as a growing area of collaboration. Colby said these efforts will help both countries respond to regional challenges and protect shared interests.
Colby stressed the importance of honest dialogue between the two nations. He said the United States and India do not need to agree on every issue to build a strong partnership.
“Differences are fully compatible with deeper alignment,” he said.
He described the relationship as rooted in long-term mutual interest. He added that both sides benefit from working together while respecting each other’s positions. Colby also avoided mentioning multilateral groupings such as the Quad. Instead, he focused on bilateral cooperation and the role of sovereign nations in maintaining regional balance.
Colby outlined a vision of the Indo-Pacific based on strength, stability, and cooperation. He said countries like India and the United States must work together to secure trade, prosperity, and peace. He added that a strong India benefits not only its own citizens but also the United States and the broader international community.
“A strong, confident India is good for Americans as well,” Colby said.
