Why in News:

• Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s victory the U.S. House [of Representatives] Foreign Affairs Committee issued a statement congratulating “the Indian people”.

Details:

• Listing the of priorities for the India-U.S. partnership mentioned human rights first. It also referred to climate change.
• U.S. Congress looks forward to continue working with India, on a host of issues, including human rights, defense, trade and economic growth, and climate change.

Why India Matters to the USA?

• India is an indispensable partner for the United States. Geographically, it sits between the two most immediate problematic regions for U.S.
  national interests. The arc of instability that begins in North Africa goes through the Middle East, and proceeds to Pakistan and Afghanistan ends at India’s western border.
• With the rise of Asian economies, the Indian Ocean is home to critical global lines of communication, with perhaps 50 percent of world container products and up to 70 percent of ship-borne oil and petroleum traffic transiting through its waters.
• India’s growing national capabilities give it ever greater tools to pursue its national interests to the benefit of the United States. India has the world’s third-largest Army, fourth-largest Air Force, and fifth largest Navy.
• India is an important U.S. partner in international efforts to prevent the further spread of weapons of mass destruction.
• India’s broad diplomatic ties globally (most importantly in the Middle East), its aspirations for United Nations (UN) Security Council permanent membership, and its role in international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency makes New