New Delhi/Washington DC

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Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday (Aug 23) he believed that India and the United States (US) had the power to bring peace, prosperity and stability to the world.

Addressing the Indian community in Washington DC, Defence Minister Singh called India and the US natural allies. "Deceit is not in our character. We can be cheated, but we can never cheat others. This is the message that should go to the world," he said.

'India's stature has increased in the international community'

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During his address, Singh said that India's stature had increased in the international community. "Earlier, India's opinions were not taken with as seriousness as they should have been. But, today when India speaks anything on the global forum, the world listens carefully," Singh said.

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"Earlier, the Indian economy was among the fragile 5, today it is among stimulus 5," he added.

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Citing Morgan Stanley, the Indian defence minister said that no one could stop India from being in the world's top 3 economies by 2027.

Singh on a four-day visit to the US

Rajnath Singh is on an official visit to the US from Friday to Monday (August 26). He arrived in the US at the invitation of the American Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing momentum in the India-US relations and defence engagements at multiple levels. The visit is expected to further deepen and broaden the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.