US committed to deepening its ties with India: White House

Noting that President Barack Obama views Indo-US ties as an anchor to America's approach in Asia, the White House on Thursday said that the United States is committed to deepening its relationship with New Delhi and would continue to pursue top priorities with India.

"President Obama has great respect for the Indian people, a close partnership with Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh, and views this relationship as an anchor to our approach in Asia and the promise of the 21st century," White House press secretary Jay Carney told PTI.

Carney's statement reflected that there would be no change in administration's effort to strengthen its ties with India despite New Delhi's decision to exclude two American companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, from its anticipated $11 billion 126 fighter jet deal; which was being pushed by the US including the president himself.

Pentagon and US ambassador to India Timothy Roemer has expressed disappointment over India's decision.

Roemer announced today that he would leave his New Delhi posting by the end of June.

"Over the last two years during ambassador Roemer's tenure, President Obama has made the expansion of the US-India strategic partnership a major priority, declaring the US-India relationship an indispensible partnership for the 21st century," Carney said when asked about the resignation of Roemer, who was a personal appointment of the US president.

Carney said the United States is committed to deepening its cooperation, and partnering on a bilateral, regional, and global level to address the major challenges of the coming decades together.

"We will continue to pursue top priorities with India, such as balanced economic growth, counter-terrorism, global security and stability, education, agriculture, trade and investment, and the advance of democratic values," he said.

"Our commitment to addressing these challenges together demonstrates the growing strength and purpose of our strategic partnership," the White House spokesperson said.

Earlier, the Pentagon said it is deeply disappointed at India's decision to exclude American companies from its multi-billion fighter jet purchase order.

"We are deeply disappointed by this news but we look forward to continuing to grow and develop our defence partnership with India and remain convinced that the United States offers our defense partners around the globe the world's most advanced and reliable technology," Pentagon spokesperson Col Dave Lapan said.