The United States seeks to isolate India from Russia and China by seeking a NATO-like partnership status with it, says a political commentator.

US lawmakers have reportedly been pushing for a partnership status for India similar to that of America’s allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Indian papers reported on Friday that US lawmakers’ recent approval of a defense bill will put the country at par with NATO allies. This would mean that Washington could in future treat New Delhi as a closer partner and might sell it more defense equipment and technology.

American author and radio host, Stephen Lendman, however, believes that “this is the idea behind America’s scheme to get all the major countries isolated from Russia and China to make them more vulnerable, to make it easier to attack them politically, economically.”

In a phone interview with Press TV, Lendman said China and Russia - the two countries that share similar positions on a raft of international issues - are “last frontier for America and “they represent a major threat to America’s desire for global hegemony.”

“America is targeting the BRICS countries, Brazil, India, China, and Russia South Africa… Now America is eyeing India. India is a major country, just the way Brazil is. America has gotten Brazil isolated from China and Russia, now it wants to get India isolated from the two,” he noted.

BRICS is the acronym for an association of the five major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They are distinguished by their large, fast-growing economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs.

Lendman said India has “good relations with China, good relations with Russia and wants to keep it that way. Washington, however, “is trying to change all that to bring India into its camp against Russia.”

Reports indicate US President Barack Obama will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington next month to discuss security and other issues.