Indo-US
Strategic Partnership
THE INDO-US strategic partnership got a major
boost with both the countries pledging to
step up cooperation in non-military nuclear
activities, civilian space programmes and
high-technology trade and expand dialogue
on missile defence. This is described by the
US President as “an important milestone in
transforming the relationship between the
United States and India.” Indian Prime Minister,
AB Vajpayee said: “The
vision of the India-US strategic partnership
that President Bush and I share is now becoming
a reality”.
| US
President George W Bush |
|
"In
November 2001, Prime Minister
Vajpayee and I committed our
countries to a strategic partnership.
Since then, our two countries
have strengthened bilateral
cooperation significantly in
several areas. Today we announce
the next steps in implementing
our shared vision.
The
United States and India agree
to expand cooperation in three
specific areas: civilian nuclear
activities, civilian space programs,
and high-technology trade. In
addition, we agree to expand
our dialogue on missile defense.
Cooperation in these areas will
deepen the ties of commerce
and friendship between our two
nations, and will increase stability
in Asia and beyond.
The
proposed cooperation will progress
through a series of reciprocal
steps that will build on each
other. It will include expanded
engagement on nuclear regulatory
and safety issues and missile
defense, ways to enhance cooperation
in peaceful uses of space technology,
and steps to create the appropriate
environment for successful high
technology commerce. In order
to combat the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction,
relevant laws, regulations and
procedures will be strengthened,
and measures to increase bilateral
and international cooperation
in this area will be employed.
These cooperative efforts will
be undertaken in accordance
with our respective national
laws and international obligations.
The
expanded cooperation launched
today is an important milestone
in transforming the relationship
between the United States and
India. That relationship is
based increasingly on common
values and common interests.
We are working together to promote
global peace and prosperity.
We are partners in the war on
terrorism and we are partners
in controlling the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction
and the means to deliver them.
The
vision of U.S.-India strategic
partnership that Prime Minister
Vajpayee and I share is now
becoming a reality.
January
13, 2004
|
|
| Indian
Prime Minister A B Vajpayee |
|
"In
November 2001, President Bush
and I committed our countries
to a strategic partnership.
Since then, our two countries
have strengthened bilateral
cooperation significantly in
several areas. Today we announce
the next steps in implementing
our shared vision.
India
and the United States of America
agree to expand cooperation
in three specific areas: civilian
nuclear activities, civilian
space programmes, and high technology
trade. In addition, we agree
to expand our dialogue on missile
defence. Cooperation in these
areas will deepen the ties of
commerce and friendship between
our two nations, and will increase
stability in Asia and beyond.
The
proposed cooperation will progress
through a series of reciprocal
steps that will build on each
other. It will include expanded
engagement on nuclear regulatory
and safety issues and missile
defence, ways to enhance cooperation
in peaceful uses of space technology,
and steps to create the appropriate
environment for successful high
technology commerce. In order
to combat the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction,
relevant laws, regulations and
procedures will be strengthened,
and measures to increase bilateral
and international cooperation
in this area will be employed.
These cooperative efforts will
be undertaken in accordance
with our respective national
laws and international obligations.
The
expanded cooperation launched
today is an important milestone
in transforming the relationship
between India and the United
States of America. That relationship
is based increasingly on common
values and common interests.
We are working together to promote
global peace and prosperity.
We are partners in the war of
terrorism and we are partners
in controlling the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction
and the means to deliver them.
The
vision of the India-US strategic
partnership that President Bush
and I share is now becoming
a reality".
January
13, 2004
|
|
The
US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC),
a national, bipartisan political action committee
of the Indian American community based in
washington, has hailed the statement by President
George W. Bush expanding cooperation with
India in civilian nuclear activities, civilian
space programs, and high-technology trade.
Noting that "...our two countries have
strengthened bilateral cooperation significantly
in several areas" since 2001, the president
emphasized that the ".expanded cooperation
launched today is an important milestone in
transforming the relationship between the
United States and India".
A
USINPAC leadership delegation recently visited
Indian and held a series of meetings with
top Indian leaders and policy makers in New
Delhi and urged them to engage proactively
with the United States in helping shape a
secure and prosperous global community. The
scourge of terrorism must be combated, wherever
and whenever it is found. The United States
and India are united here. The statement by
President Bush elevates cooperation on this
front, and strengthens the growing ties of
commerce and friendship between India and
America.
The
process outlined by the President requires
reciprocal and phased implementation as the
next steps. USINPAC urges policy makers in
the United States and India to move expeditiously
to make this vision of a strategic/commercial
partnership a reality. "We would like
to see the next steps taken as quickly as
possible. USINPAC intends to work even harder
this year to facilitate communications and
cross-cultural understanding between our two
great nations," said Sanjay Puri, Executive
Director, adding that President's statement
has "encouraged us to rededicate ourselves
in this regard."
Meanwhile,
in an interactive session with the USINPAC
delegation, India's External Affairs
minister, Yashwant Sinha
agreed that India would work to stop
its dependency on a few nations only in the
critical area of Defence. The minister made
this observation in reply to a question put
by the delegation that in the field of Defence
purchases India should tap the US market aggressively.
The UINPAC delegation comprised of
Manish Thakur, Vic Chauhan, Krishanan
Chettiyar and Devasish Ray.
The
minister commended USINPAC for "the strong
leadership role of USINPAC in influencing
legislative issues pertaining to Indian Americans
and India." Sinha added, "You are
growing by leaps and bounds and in such a
short period of time; this is truly commendable."
Regarding the global economy, Sinha noted
that outsourcing is beneficial to both the
United States and India. In his meeting with
the USINPAC delegation, the external affairs
minister also discussed recent peace initiatives
undertaken by India and Pakistan, which augur
well for peace and stability on the subcontinent.
Updated
on January 29, 2004
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