India, Nov. 14 -- Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday called the India-US partnership an essential part of the new century. He said Washington should not expect New Delhi to follow its lead, and that the US understood India's long ties with Russia.

"I remain absolutely convinced that the relationship, partnership and strategic convergence between the United States and India are essential elements of this new century. It is a relationship that we must continue to pursue and deepen," Blinken said at the 24th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. He was in conversation with Ambassador Javed Ashraf, chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation.

Blinken said the two countries had been "estranged democracies for 50 year...