India-US joint effort will make 'defining partnership of 21st Century': Sushma Swaraj

Washington: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that India`s relationship with the United States is defined by natural synergy of the democracies and easy identification among the people, adding that the joint effort of both the countries will make one of the defining partnerships of the 21st Century.

"We both are open societies which value education and enterprise. Our relationship with the United States is defined by natural synergy of our democracies and easy identification among our people," said Sushma Swaraj, while speaking at the 40th leadership Summit of US-India Business Council (USIBC).

"Today, there is a great deal of comfort, maturity and tender in conversation between both the governments. We have harnessed commonalities between our two countries to further bilateral priorities in several areas, including defence and security, countering terrorism and extremism, clean energy and environmental protection, science and technology and space," she added.

Sushma Swaraj asserted that India sees business relationships with the United States not simply as transactions but as yet another manifestation.

"Our joint effort will help make India-US partnership as President Barrack Obama had said, one of the defining partnerships of the 21st Century," she further said.

Earlier, US Vice-President Joe Biden said their goal is to become India`s best friend and both the nations should work together as strategic partners to bring about a safer and prosperous world.

"Our goal is to become India`s best friend. The President and I, and the entire administration believe that the India-US relationship will be a relationship that will go a long way in defining the findings of the 21st century," said Biden.