Citing the example of the joint announcement last year by the U.S. and China to limit greenhouse gases, Talwar said "the more we can work together, and be seen as working together, the better chance we have in tackling some of the world's most daunting challenges".

Touching upon the contentious South China Sea issue, he said that with nearly half the world's maritime commerce flowing through it every year, one can imagine the "global ripple effects" if the SCS or Malacca Strait - central arteries of international trade system - "were choked off".

"That's why the United States is playing a leading role in the effort to uphold regional and maritime security in Asia, which underpins the global economy," he added.

Talwar said California is the perfect example of why Asia's future and America's future are bound together. Since 2009, California's exports to Asia are up nearly 50 per cent.

California also exports more to India and Japan than any other State, he said, adding that five of the top seven export markets for the U.S. State are in Asia.

He pointed out that to build on that progress, one of the highest priorities this year for the U.S. is to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which would open new markets and set high standards on labour and the environment for 12 countries, which together account for almost 40 per cent of global GDP.
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