New Delhi, Mr. President and
members of the media,
It is a
great pleasure and privilege to welcome back President Obama and the First Lady
in India.
Mr.
President, we are honoured that you accepted our invitation to be the Chief
Guest for our Republic Day, despite a busy January.
It is
special because on this day we celebrate the values shared by the world’s two
largest democracies.
You are
also the first United States President to visit India twice in Office.
It
reflects the transformation in our relationship. It shows your deep personal
commitment to this partnership.
It
tells us that our two nations are prepared to step forward firmly to accept the
responsibility of this global partnership – for our two countries and for
shaping the character of this century.
The
promise and potential of this relationship has never been in doubt. This is a
natural global partnership. It has become even more relevant in the digital
age. It is needed even more in our world of far-reaching changes and widespread
turmoil.
The
success of this partnership is important for our progress and for advancing
peace, stability and prosperity around the world.
From
the turn of this century, we have begun transforming our relationship.But, we
have to convert a good start into lasting progress. This requires translating
our vision into sustained action and concrete achievements.
Mr.
President, in the last few months, I see new excitement and confidence in this
relationship. I see renewed energy in our engagement. I thank you for your
leadership and for setting the tone last September.The civil nuclear agreement
was the centrepiece of our transformed relationship, which demonstrated new trust.
It also created new economic opportunities and expanded our option for clean
energy. In the course of the past four months, we have worked with a sense of
purpose to move it forward. I am pleased that six years after we signed our
bilateral agreement, we are moving towards commercial cooperation, consistent
with our law, our international legal obligations, and technical and commercial
viability.
President
Obama has also assured me of strong U.S. efforts in support of India’s full
membership of the four international export control regimes at the earliest.
Today,
we have also decided to take our growing defence cooperation to a new level. We
have agreed, in principle, to pursue co-development and co-production of
specific advanced defence projects. These will help upgrade our domestic
defence industry; and expand the manufacturing sector in India.We will also
explore cooperation in other areas of advanced defence technologies.
We have
renewed our Defence Framework Agreement. We will deepen our cooperation on
maritime security.
Terrorism
remains a principal global threat. It is taking on a new character, even as
existing challenges persist. We agreed that we need a comprehensive global
strategy and approach to combat with it. There should be no distinction between
terrorist groups. Every country must fulfil its commitments to eliminate
terrorist safe havens and bring terrorists to justice.
Our two
countries will deepen our bilateral security cooperation against terrorist
groups. And, we will further enhance our counter-terrorism capabilities,
including in the area of technology.
President Obama and I agree
that a strong and growing economic relationship is vital for the success of our
strategic partnership. Economic growth in our two countries is becoming
stronger. Our business climate is improving. This gives me great optimism about
our economic ties.
In
addition, we have established a number of effective bilateral mechanisms to
identify opportunities and also help our businesses trade and invest more.We
will also resume our dialogue on Bilateral Investment Treaty. We will also restart
discussions on a Social Security Agreement that is so important for the
hundreds of thousands of Indian professionals working in the United States.
For
President Obama and me, clean and renewable energy is a personal and national
priority. We discussed our ambitious national efforts and goals to increase the
use of clean and renewable energy. We also agreed to further enhance our
excellent and innovative partnership in this area. I asked him to lead
international efforts in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable
to the world. President and I expressed hope for a successful Paris Conference
on climate change this year.
We will
continue to deepen our collaboration in science, technology, innovation,
agriculture, health, education and skills. These are central to the future of
our two countries; and also give us an opportunity to help others around the
world.Indeed, our strategic partnership will only be complete if we assume our
responsibility to work together to promote development and connectivity in our
vast region. President Obama and I agreed to pursue this goal with a sense of
priority.
President
and I had an excellent discussion on global and regional issues. In particular,
we renewed our commitment to deepen our cooperation to advance peace,
stability, prosperity in Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean Region, which is
critical for the future of our two countries and the destiny of this world.
Our
relationship stands at a new level today. We have outlined a broad vision for
our friendship and cooperation that reflects the opportunities and challenges
of this century. As Lord Buddha said, noble friends and companions are the
whole of the holy life.
We have
decided to give this critical partnership a new thrust and sustained attention.
For this, we have agreed that India and the United States must have regular
summits at greater frequency. And, we will also establish hotlines between us
and our National Security Advisors.At the beginning of this year, we start a
new journey. Let me welcome you once again, Mr. President. It is a great
pleasure to have you with us. (Source- www.newsroompost.com)
एक टिप्पणी भेजें