India and US relationship like that of husband and wife: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and the US are connected in many ways, and the openness of their philosophies and their love for democracy are two traits that both nations share.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Prime Minister Modi said, "There are some things that connect India and America. Their openness and democracy are some of those. We need to focus on what India and America can do together for the world: that should be a principle for our foundation."

Comparing the at-times strained relationship between the two nations to that of a marriage, Prime Minister Modi added, "Even the relationship between a husband and wife is not always comfortable but a relationship is binding in the long term."

Answering question about India's relationship with China, Prime Minister Modi said that any differences between New Delhi and Beijing would be solved bilaterally, rather than through arbitration.

"India and China are capable of talking to each other and solving their problems. We do not need any international arbitration," he said.