06/29/2009

News / Clinton Calls for an Upgrade in U.S.-India Relations

By Merle David Kellerhals Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington — The United States and India need to upgrade cooperation between their governments in the same way that the people-to-people and economic ties have advanced, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

“Today our trade between our nations has doubled since 2004 and now exceeds $43 billion; there are over 90,000 Indian students studying in the United States; and the new Fulbright-Nehru program strengthens educational exchanges between India and the United States with both countries acting as full partners in governance and funding,” Clinton said June 17 at the U.S.-India Business Council’s 34th anniversary “Synergies Summit.”

“As we pursue an enhanced bilateral partnership, we should recognize that compared to other metrics of our cooperation, our official ties are past due for an upgrade. We need the bilateral cooperation between our governments to catch up with our people-to-people and economic ties,” she said.

Clinton travels to India in July to discuss security, economic, climate change and cultural issues. The business summit was held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington.

India will be among a number of nations that will attend the annual G8 Summit being held in July in Italy. Clinton said President Obama has been clear that the United States will not use the global financial crisis as “an excuse to fall back on protectionism. We hope India will work with us to create a more open, equitable set of opportunities for trade between our nations.”

A landmark U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement was approved in October last year that gives India access to international commercial nuclear sources, and provides a framework for economic and technical cooperation between the United States and India. Clinton said the Obama administration is fully committed to implementing the accord.

Clinton said the partnership with India is regarded as a significant foreign policy priority: “We see India as one of a few key partners worldwide who will help us shape the 21st century.” And Clinton said India has an expanded role in helping to resolve international security challenges, and the United States should be prepared to adapt the structure of international institutions to reflect nations like India’s new responsibilities.

“India’s moral stature and its long tradition of leadership among developing countries means that it is particularly well-suited to take on the challenges that multinational institutions face,” she said.

Human development in the fields of education, women’s empowerment and health is another area for enhanced cooperation between the two nations, Clinton said. “In Prime Minister [Manmohan] Singh, we have a partner who is determined to leverage India’s progress to improve the lives of his people,” she said.

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http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/June/20090618165123dmslahrellek0.7948877.html?CP.rss=true

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