India-US relations go beyond trade issues, said US Consulate General Helen LaFave on Tuesday.

Without elaborating, she said the US was waiting for the results of the world’s largest elections.

The poll outcome was significant as currently two major geo-strategic US initiatives placed India at the centre.

“The New Silk Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Economic Order are converging on India,” she told reporters after a Bengal National Chamber of Commerce & Industry session on the prospects of Indo-US partnership.

The US supported initiatives that aim to create cross border economic connect between Central Asia and South-East Asia through the Indian subcontinent.

The US over the past few years has been supporting India’s economic connections – both westward into Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia; and eastward with Bangladesh, Myanmar, and South-East Asia – for greater economic linkage that will boost regional stability and prosperity. The US supports creation of new markets, opportunities and incentives for peace. The US has been backing India’s efforts to create durable land, sea and air links into South-East Asia that will ease movement of goods and services in future.

The other major initiative involved engaging India with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia trade. Through the New Silk Road Initiative, the US has been focusing on four key areas – creating regional energy markets that link Central Asia with South Asia; promoting trade and transportation routes and investing in infrastructure; improving customs and borders; and linking businesses.

Eventually, US hopes to see Central Asian energy flow into the Indian markets through the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline.

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