India isn’t Pakistan, would never want a relationship of dependence: US Cong.

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ Observing that India is different from traditional American allies for whom the US was the key security provider, a think-tank expert told the lawmakers that New Delhi would “never” want a relationship of dependence or one in which the US has to incur all costs.

“India would never want a relationship of dependence or one in which the US has to incur all costs,” Aparna Pande, Director, Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia at the Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank, told the US lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.

Testifying on ‘Asia’s Diplomatic and Security Structure: Planning US Engagement’ at the hearing, organised by the sub-committee on Asia Pacific of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, She said India’s growing economic and security relationships and interest in the Indo-Pacific region was aligned with its deepening partnership with the US.

“However, India is different from traditional American allies whether in Europe, Latin America or Asia for whom the United States was the key security provider,” Pande said. She said India wants to maintain its own security capabilities and does not wish to become a “burden” on the US taxpayer. “It seeks a relationship that helps build India’s resources and capabilities so that India can play a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific,” Pande said.