New York, Feb. 18 -- US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin considers India "a critical partner" for meeting the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and gives priority to ties with it, according to Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby.

"The secretary is prioritising this relationship, wants to see it continue to grow and develop and to get stronger," Kirby said on Wednesday at a news briefing in Washington.

"He looks very much looking forward to working on initiatives to do just that," Kirby said in reply to a reporter's question about Austin's views on relations with India.

Austin considers India "a critical partner, especially when you consider all the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.

Austin spoke last month with India's D...