India, March 25 -- The United States has underscored India's growing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific, with Elbridge Colby describing India as an "essential partner" in maintaining regional stability during remarks at the Ananta Centre.

Speaking on his first official visit to India, Colby outlined Washington's evolving defense and geopolitical framework toward New Delhi, emphasizing a pragmatic, interest-driven partnership rooted in shared concerns over the balance of power in Asia.

Colby highlighted that the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the central arena of global politics and economics, with both U.S. and Indian prosperity closely tied to developments in the region. He noted that no single nation can ensure stability alone, cal...