India is America’s “greatest” strategic ally and the country has been instrumental in helping the US build technology and medical professions, a top US governor has said.
“We clearly understand the strategic importance of India, of India-US relations. As we grow our 21st century economy, India has been so instrumental in helping us build our technology, medical professions,” said Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe, who is also the chair of the powerful National Governors Association.
“We recognise a country that has been such a close strategic ally of the US. That’s why we the Governors are here tonight,” McAuliffe said at a reception hosted by Navtej Sarna, the Indian ambassador to the US, at his residence in honour of members of the National Governors Association (NGA).
Governors along with their spouses from a record number of 25 states attended the reception, which is one of the largest such gatherings at the ambassador’s residence in recent years and reflective of the strong partnership that India over the years has been able to build with each of these states.
“India is America’s greatest strategic partner,” McAuliffe said, explaining the reasons for the NGA agreeing to have this reception at the residence of Indian ambassador despite a tough competition from other countries.
The reception coincided with the Winter Meeting of the NGA which is currently underway in Washington.
“This is a great opportunity for governors. India is so large, with so many people and so many opportunities. But you cannot build relationship with India unless you visit the country,” said McAuliffe, as he urged other governors to visit India and take trade delegations there.
He himself has been to India as many as 15 times, the last time he took a trade delegation to India.
Addressing the largest-ever crowd of US governors at his residence, Sarna said India-US relationship today is a “very major” global strategic partnership.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)