WASHINGTON: Aug 16 (INP): US President Donald Trump chose India's Independence Day to signal that Washington has New Delhi's backing by announcing the two countries ''will elevate their strategic consultations.'' The US President called Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid domestic political turmoil in both countries, ostensibly to congratulate Indians on the country's Independence Day celebration. But a White House readout on the call went far beyond the pleasantries, disclosing that ''the leaders resolved to enhance peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region by establishing a new two-by-two ministerial dialogue that will elevate their strategic consultations.'' The read-out did not elaborate on the two-by-two dialogue, but it said the two countries have a long overdue annual strategic dialogue mechanism instituted by previous administrations that typically involve high cabinet officials from both sides, including the secretary of state and commerce secretary from the US and their Indian counterparts. Although the White House statement did not refer explicitly to China, much less the Doklam issue, the reference to enhancing peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region appears to be shot across Beijing's bow, and constitutes a continuation of the recognition by the Obama administration of India's stakes in the region. Notably, there was no Trump phone call to any Pakistani leader on the occasion of that country's Independence Day, confirming the impression that Washington has long de-hyphenated the two countries. Secretary Tillerson recently engaged with Islamabad with prospects of some bilateral visits involving him and Pakistan's new foreign minister Khawaja Asif. Trump also sought to ramp up business ties with India specifically talking up the Global Entrepreneur Summit in Hyderabad, India, this coming November for which he has detailed his daughter Ivanka Trump to attend. INP/AH