With the threat of an economically and militarily assertive China looming before the US and India, US President Donald Trump chose India's Independence Day to signal that Washington has New Delhi's back by announcing the two countries ''will elevate their strategic consultations.'' The US President called Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid domestic political turmoil in both countries (Trump buffeted over his softballing of white extremism in Charlottsville and Modi rocked by the Gorakhpur tragedy) ostensibly to congratulate Indians on the country's Independence Day celebration.

With the threat of an economically and militarily assertive China looming before the US and India, US President Donald Trump chose India's Independence Day to signal that Washington has New Delhi's back by announcing the two countries ''will elevate their strategic consultations.'' The US President called Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid domestic political turmoil in both countries (Trump buffeted over his softballing of white extremism in Charlottsville and Modi rocked by the Gorakhpur tragedy) ostensibly to congratulate Indians on the country's Independence Day celebration.