The US has welcomed India as a rising power and backed its inclusion as a permanent member of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. Secretary of State John Kerry, in a video message for Indians ahead of the next week's Indo-US strategic dialogue in New Delhi Kerry said that this is a critical ongoing conversation between the two countries.

Kerry said, a strong India is in America's national interest. HHe said, President Barack Obama supports India's inclusion as a a permanent member, of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council.

Kerry said India-US collaboration has never been more important than it is today He said, from higher education to clean energy, from counter-terrorism to space science, the two countries are seizing new opportunities to work together.

Kerry said the US and India share a strong and enduring commitment to Afghanistan's peace and prosperity.