US-INDIA 2 LST

Noting that military-to-military relations are
burgeoning, Blake said the Indian military holds more
bilateral exercises with the United States than any other
nation.
"As Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Michele
Flournoy recently noted, we are 'creating conditions where
close US-India defence cooperation is normal, expected and
routine'," he said.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao of India has rightly said
that US-India defence relationship has evolved from a purely
military relationship to a "state of comprehensive
engagement," Blake noted.
"In the Energy and Climate Change pillar, we have
launched a US-India climate dialogue to capitalise on the
improved coordination between the US and India in
international climate negotiations," he said.
"The US appreciates the important role Prime Minister
(Manmohan) Singh played in helping to forge a consensus in
Copenhagen (climate talks) last year.
"We support continuing the progress made in Copenhagen on
the key issues that are necessary for any global climate
regime-mitigation, transparency, financing, adaptation,
technology and reducing emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation in developing countries," Blake said.
It is important for the global community to continue to
make progress and find common ground on these essential issues
in the lead up to the climate change talks later this year in
Cancun, he said. PTI