Washington, Nov. 23 -- The United States must build a much stronger relationship with India, calling the interests of both countries "compatible" despite turbulence in ties in the past, according to James C Lawler, a celebrated former CIA officer and former head of the agency's Counter-Proliferation Division.

In an interview with ANI, Lawler said he has never fully understood why India and the United States were "never adversaries but never true friends" even though they shared several common interests and values. He said, "I think sometimes American foreign policy is a big puzzle. What I am hopeful for is that the United States needs a much stronger relationship with India. Most of our interests are convergent. We have vibrant economies...