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United States, India Enjoy Strong Partnership, PM Singh Says

21 July 2005

Ties are based on economic cooperation, energy, combating terrorism

By Mercedes L. Suarez
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- India has established a firm partnership with the United States based on democratic principles, economic cooperation and the fight against terrorism, said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a speech at Washington’s National Press Club on July 20.

Speaking of U.S.-India relations in light of a changing global economy, Singh reflected on his meetings with President Bush and the U.S. Congress during his three-day visit to the United States.

Singh vowed India “will never be a source of nuclear proliferation.” The comment was made in light of new civilian nuclear energy projects in which American companies are slated to participate. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns announced nuclear cooperation plans with India in a press conference on July 19.

Singh discussed “the role India can play in strengthening global non-proliferation efforts,” as the country also seeks to build “access to energy resources.” He said the civilian nuclear energy programs were part of an effort to diversify away from dependence on hydrocarbons.

Turning to the topic of terrorism, Singh said, “terrorism is a great threat to freedom and tolerance,” and “the United States is an important partner in combating global terror.”

Singh said he discussed the changes in “infrastructure, energy, and in the field of knowledge creation,” which affect both India and the United States, in his meetings with President Bush. On July 18, the two leaders announced several new initiatives on health, trade, economic development, agricultural production and energy cooperation.

India, the world’s most populous democracy, is an example of finding “social and economic salvation in the framework of an open society and open polity,” said Singh. “Entrepreneurship, demand for quality products and expanding foreign trade” are just some of the changes sweeping India, he continued. Specifically, the United States has been a major partner in aiding Indian agricultural projects, and Singh anticipated a continuation of agribusiness growth. American companies have benefited greatly from Indian resources and Indians share a “tradition of education that is deeply imbedded in the psyche,” said Singh.

“The basic needs of all have to be met” even as India pursues larger economic goals, said Singh, who promised he would ensure that “the benefits of development are available to all our citizens.” He pointed to India’s economic record, which he said boasts six percent annual growth for the last 15 years. India will be proof that “growth need not come at the cost of human freedoms,” said Singh.

India wants to play a greater role in the international community, added Singh, responding to questions about India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Though President Bush has other priorities for reforming the U.N., Singh said, the U.S. administration acknowledged that the new U.N. system “must reflect contemporary realities.”

Singh said the 2 million Americans of Indian descent are part of the new partnership being formed. He hopes to “make India-U.S. ties one of the principal relationships of the world” in the future.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)