In his farewell address on Tuesday, Ken Juster, the United States envoy to India spoke about the significance of the Indo-Pacific region and India’s importance in it, ANI reported. The region “needs stability, leadership and a democratic model for development that does not threaten the sovereignty of other countries,” the envoy said, in an apparent reference to China.

Also read: US Congress’ provision calling out China’s aggression towards India becomes law

“That is why a strong and democratic India is an important partner to promote peace and prosperity,” he added.

China is currently embroiled in territorial disputes with several of its neighbours, including India.

Although the concept of Indo-Pacific had been several years in the making, “it is in the past four years that our countries have shown the ambition to turn it into reality,” the US envoy said in his farewell address.

“In 2017, President Trump described the US vision as for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said. 

Highlighting the significance of the region in the US-India ties, Juster said it recognised “the reality that India and the Indian ocean are inextricably tied to East Asia and Pacific.”

“Indo-Pacific region encompasses world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and most populace nations,” Juster said.

“More than 50% of international trade passes through its water. The region is rich in natural resources and is fast becoming centre of gravity of evolving international system,” he added.

The ambassador said the US government is dedicated to not just the bilateral relationship but also supporting India on the world stage.

“US National Security Strategy put it down on paper in 2017, welcoming India’s emergence as a leading power & a stronger strategic & defence partner,” he said. 

On the trade front, the envoy said, there were “frictions and frustration.”

“Despite persistent efforts, we are unable to conclude even a small trade package. Moreover, there are growing restrictions in India and market access for certain US goods and services,” he said.

Also read: India-US ties suffer as they face trade frictions under Trump administration: Congress report

He also highlighted the opportunity before India to become “an alternative manufacturing destination in Indo-Pacific region” as the US and other companies were finding it increasingly difficult to operate in China and were seeking to diversify manufacturing.

In a reference to India’s purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia and a possible sanction under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), Juster said sanctions were never designed to harm friends and allies.

“There are many variables involved in it. India seeks to keep its options open but there is also a limitation,” he said.

In December, the US imposed sanctions on its NATO-ally Turkey, under CAATSA, for buying the Russian S-400 missile system.

Speaking on India-US cooperation in defence and security, Juster said the two nations had over the past four years deepened “this cooperation to keep our nation safe from a growing array of threats and to provide security beyond our own borders.”

“We recognise that India desires to produce more of its military equipment within the country & the United States looks forward to our growing partnership in this effort,” he said.