The United States and India say shared economic and security concerns are pushing the two democracies closer together.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna spoke in Washington Wednesday, following the third annual strategic dialogues between the two countries.

Clinton stood by remarks she made two years ago, when she described relations between Washington and New delhi as an affair of the heart.

“With respect to affairs of the heart, they usually have ups and downs. But that doesn't make them any less heartfelt or any less of a commitment. So I feel as strongly today as I did two years ago.”

Both Clinton and Krisha talked about what they called a convergence of interests, with Clinton saying U.S.-India ties are entering as a “more mature phase.”

“Our cooperation on intelligence sharing, on homeland security issues, on counter-terrorism has gotten to a new level. It is very important to both of our countries

Krishna told reporters both India and the U.S. share a joint-vision for the future, saying there has been an “unprecedented intensity” over the past year.

“The shared interests and convergent views on a range of regional and global issues that were evident in our talks today, it provides a new momentum for our global strategic partnership.”

Krishna downplayed differences on trade and investment, an area that has been a source of dissatisfaction for U.S. companies seekign access to the growing Indian marketplace. The U.S. has said bilateral trade and investment is expected to exceed $100 billion this year, up more than 40 percent since 2009. Krishna said the Indian government would do its part to make sure such growth continues.

“There is going to be a level playing field and there will be total transparency. And with these two parameter being ensured, I am sure that a number of companies from outside India would be willing to participate in this great developmental journey that India is setting on.”

The meeting Wednesday marks the latest round of high-level talks between the two countries, following a visit to India last week by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. It also comes days after the Obama administration exempted India from sanctions barring Iranian oil imports.

Krishna said Wednesday it was inevitable there would be questions or doubts about aspects of the evolving relationship between the two key democracies. But he insisted the focus should instead shift to finding ways for Washington and Delhi to harness the full potential of a partnership that he says could help define the 21st century.

One area both the U.S. and India have repeatedly highlighted is Afghanistan, where the two countries have visions of what they call a “new silk road” that would connect business and consumers across almost all of South Asia.

Krishna said India remained committed to helping Afghanistan rebuild its economy but he also warned Afghan leaders they should not count on such external support to be available indefinitely.