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US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday said Washington welcomes the rise of a strong, prosperous and a successful China that plays a greater role in global affairs and respects and enforces the international norms that have governed this region for six decades. "As the United States and India deepen defense partnership with each other, both of us will also seek to strengthen our relations with China . We recognize that China has a critical role to play advancing security and prosperity in this region," said Panetta during his address at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses here. Panetta said both India and the United States will need to continue to engage Pakistan . "And again with regard to Pakistan , India and the United States will need to continue to engage Pakistan , overcoming our respective - and often deep - differences with Pakistan to make all of South Asia peaceful and prosperous," he said. Panetta pointed out both India and the United States now need to join the forces to tackle new and ever more complex threats "At a strategic level, we have worked together to counter piracy and terrorism, and now we should join forces to tackle new and ever more complex threats. We can do more to drive the creation of a rules-based order that protects our common interests in new areas like cyber security and space," said Panetta. "We need to develop "rules of the road" in these domains to help confront dangerous activities by states and non-state actors alike," he added. The U.S. Defence Secretary said 'in terms of regional security, our vision is a peaceful Indian Ocean region supported by growing Indian capabilities'. " America will do its part through the rotational presence of Marines in Australia , Littoral Combat Ships rotating through Singapore , and other U.S. military deployments in the region," he added. Panetta said the United States supports Southeast Asian multilateral forums such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus, or "ADMM Plus." "These mechanisms will prevent and manage regional tensions. As I have told my Indian colleagues over the past two days, lndia's voice and involvement in these international forums will be critical," he added. The visiting U.S. Defence Secretary held delegation-level talks with Defence Minister A.K. Antony earlier this morning during which they reviewed the security situation in South Asia and the Af-Pak region. Panetta gave an assurance to Antony that the US would initiate measures to provide access to technology, along with sales.

Leon Panetta in favour of US and India welcoming strong China