Washington: A White House strategy paper on September 20 described India as a "growing world power" and said, "US interests require a strong relationship" with New Delhi.

The document, approved by President George Bush over the weekend, also reaffirms US interest in seeing India and Pakistan resolve their disputes.

The administration sees India's potential to become one of the great democratic powers and "has worked hard to transform our relationship accordingly".

With regard to Pakistan it said, "US bilateral relations have been bolstered by Pakistan's choice to join the war against terror and move toward building a more open and tolerant society."

The paper, however, stressed, that the U.S. looked first to concrete steps by India and Pakistan that can help defuse military confrontation.

"Our involvement in this regional dispute, building on earlier investments and bilateral relations, looks first to concrete steps by India and Pakistan that can help defuse military confrontation."

PTI