NEW DELHI, June 23: The United States was quoted on Wednesday as saying that its key interests propelled the quest for strong ties with India , remarks that coincided with similar sentiments expressed by Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh during a visit to China.

"The United States has undertaken a transformation in its relationship with India based on the conviction that US interests require a strong relationship with India," the Press Trust of India quoted a State Department policy note as saying about ties with the new Indian government.

It said: "The two countries are the largest democracies, committed to political freedom protected by representative government. "India is also moving towards greater economic freedom.

The two have a common interest in the free flow of commerce, including through the vital sea-lanes of the Indian Ocean. They also share an interest in fighting terrorism and in creating a strategically stable Asia," the official note said.

It said differences remained, including over India's nuclear weapons programmes and over the pace of India's economic reforms. "But while in the past these concerns may have dominated US thinking about India, today the United States starts with a view of India as a growing world power with which it shares common strategic interests.

"Through a strong partnership with India, the two countries can best address differences and shape a dynamic future." For his part, Mr Singh said the Congress-led government attached "high importance" to its relations with the US and was determined to enhance and diversify bilateral ties based on commonalities.

"The United Progressive Alliance government will make a determined effort to further enhance the development and diversification of relations with the United States based on the many commonalities that our two countries share," Mr Singh told the Press Trust of India in Qingdao, China. "Within this perspective, India will continue to attach high importance to its relations with the United States," the Indian foreign minister said.