INDIA-USA ECONOMIC RELATIONS

INDIA AND THE UNITED STATES: PARTNERSHIP FOR A BETTER WORLD

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama reaffirmed on 24 November, 2009 the global strategic partnership between India and the United States, and launched a new phase in this partnership. Commending the deepening bilateral cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies across a broad spectrum of human endeavors, the two leaders recognized that the common ideals and complementary strengths of India and the United States today provide a foundation for addressing the global challenges of the 21st century.

ADVANCING GLOBAL SECURITY AND COUNTERING TERRORISM

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama recognized that the India-U.S. partnership is indispensable for global peace and security. They acknowledged the common threat that international terrorism poses to regional and global security. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.
They expressed their grave concern about the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremists emanating from India's neighborhood, whose impact is felt beyond the region. The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities. These undermine security and stability in the region and around the world.
They vowed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries’ common ideals and shared values and committed themselves to strengthening global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism. They decided on a Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to expand collaboration on counterterrorism, information sharing, and capacity building.
The two leaders reiterated their shared interest in the stability, development and independence of Afghanistan and in the defeat of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The two leaders committed to continue pursuing mutually beneficial defense cooperation through the existing security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defense exercises and trade and technology transfer and collaboration. They recognized the scope for cooperation in the areas of non-traditional threats to security, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime security and protecting sea lanes of communication. They agreed to expedite necessary arrangements to facilitate these activities.
The two leaders agreed that strengthening high technology trade between their countries is in the spirit of their strategic dialogue and partnership. They reiterated their shared commitment to technology security and that it is in their mutual interest to invigorate this area of their partnership.
Prime Minister Singh and President Obama reaffirmed their shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons and pledged to work together, as leaders of responsible states with advanced nuclear technology, for global non-proliferation, and universal, non-discriminatory and complete nuclear disarmament. Part of that vision is working together to ensure that all nations live up to their international obligations. India reaffirmed its unilateral and voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing. The United States reaffirmed its testing moratorium and its commitment to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and bring it into force at an early date. Both leaders agreed to consult each other regularly and seek the early start of negotiations on a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament. They noted that nuclear terrorism, and clandestine networks are a matter of grave concern. Prime Minister Singh and President Obama look forward to the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit and working together with all participating states for the success of the Summit.

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

Recognizing that energy security, food security, climate change are interlinked, and that eliminating poverty and ensuring sustainable development and a clean energy future are among the foremost global objectives, the two leaders agreed to enter into a Green Partnership to address these global challenges.
They two Leaders reaffirmed their intention to promote the full, effective and sustained implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in accordance with the Bali Action Plan. Recognizing their special role in promoting a successful and substantive outcome at the UNFCCC 15th Conference of Parties at Copenhagen in December, 2009, they reaffirmed their intention to work together bilaterally and with all other countries for an agreed outcome at that meeting.
The two leaders also affirmed that the Copenhagen outcome must be comprehensive and cover mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology, and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, it should reflect emission reduction targets of developed countries and nationally appropriate mitigation actions of developing countries. There should be full transparency through appropriate processes as to the implementation of aforesaid mitigation actions. The outcome should further reflect the need for substantially scaled-up financial resources to support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, in particular, for the poorest and most vulnerable. It should also include measures for promoting technology development, dissemination and transfer and capacity building, including consideration of a center or a network of centers to support and stimulate climate innovation. India and the United States, consistent with their national circumstances, resolved to take significant national mitigation actions that will strengthen the world's ability to combat climate change. They resolved to stand by these commitments.
Recognizing the need to create the clean energy economy of the 21st century, Prime Minister Singh and President Obama agreed to launch a Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative. The goal of the Initiative would be to improve the lives of the people of both countries by developing and improving access to technologies that make our energy cleaner, affordable and more efficient. The Initiative will include cooperation in wind and solar energy, second generation bio-fuels, unconventional gas, energy efficiency, and clean coal technologies including carbon capture and storage. The success of this Initiative is expected to enhance the ability of India and the United States to provide new economic opportunities for their people and create new clean energy jobs.
The two leaders intend to take practical steps to promote global food security, including by advancing the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative. They looked forward to increasing India-U.S. agricultural cooperation with the purpose of promoting agricultural research, human resources capacity building, natural resource management, agri-business and food processing, and collaborative research for increasing food productivity. This cooperation would contribute to joint development of technology that would improve weather forecasting, including predicting monsoons, and technology that would contribute to food productivity and food security efforts in India.
They agreed to collaborate in the application of their space technology and related scientific capabilities in outer space and for development purposes, including in the field of agriculture.
The two leaders reiterated their intention to realize the full potential of the India-U.S. Agreement for Cooperation concerning the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy through the implementation of its provisions. They agreed to expedite U.S. firms' participation in the implementation of this agreement.

STIMULATING GLOBAL ECONOMIC REVIVAL

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama noted the new opportunities offered by their economies and their respective strengths, and their potential for future growth to catalyze global economic growth, and pledged to create conditions that would facilitate their continued expansion.
The leaders also noted that the United States is currently the largest trading partner of India in goods and services. The leaders reiterated their pledge to bolster and deepen cooperation on economic, trade and agricultural issues, including working bilaterally and with multilateral trade organizations to foster increased trade. Both leaders welcomed the potential for further expanding trade and investment between their countries, including in sectors such as infrastructure, information and communication technologies, healthcare services, education services, energy and environmentally friendly technologies.
As members of the G 20, they agreed to advance the G 20 understandings including with regard to energy security and resisting protectionism in all its forms. The two leaders agreed to facilitate greater movement of professionals, investors and business travelers, students, and exchange visitors between our two countries to enhance their economic and technological partnership.
They committed to strengthen and reform the global economic and financial architecture in the G-20, World Bank and the IMF. They resolved to seek an ambitious and balanced outcome of the Doha Round, consistent with its mandate and reaffirmed their commitment to an open, fair, equitable, transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system.
The two leaders announced their intention to develop a Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment. This Framework is expected to foster an environment conducive to technological innovation and collaboration, promote inclusive growth and job creation, and support opportunities for increased trade and investment - including for small and medium-sized enterprises. They agreed to launch the U.S.-India Financial and Economic Partnership to strengthen engagement on economic, financial, and investment-related issues.
The two leaders welcomed the progress achieved in the discussions on a Bilateral Investment Treaty and pledged to take further initiatives that would contribute to creating a more conducive environment for investment flows.
They recognized the contribution of the business and industrial sectors of both countries in this regard and called upon the India-U.S. CEOs Forum to identify new directions in the India-U.S. economic relationship.

EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS

Recognizing the cultural emphasis on education in both countries, Prime Minister Singh and President Obama emphasized that education holds the key to the advancement of their societies, and to a more prosperous and stable world.
They agreed that access to and development of technology was a cross-cutting requirement to meet the challenges that their two countries face. They acknowledged the fruitful collaboration between the two countries in the fields of education, research and science and technology, which has contributed to their emergence as knowledge societies.
Taking advantage of that strength, President Obama and Prime Minister Singh launched the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative with funding from both sides to increase university linkages and junior faculty development exchanges between U.S. and Indian universities, including greater emphasis on community colleges.
They agreed to substantially expand the Fulbright-Nehru program to provide more student and scholar exchange grants in priority fields such as science, technology and agriculture. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of expanding cooperation in higher education and research, and according priority to cooperation in the area of skill development.
They also expressed their support for the India-U.S. Binational Science and Technology Commission and the Endowment, which is expected to give a fresh impetus to collaboration in the cutting edge areas of scientific research, technology and development.
The leaders affirmed the importance of women’s empowerment to advancing global prosperity and stability, and welcomed the establishment of a Women’s Empowerment Dialogue to promote women’s participation and equality in all spheres. They emphasized that women’s empowerment is a cross-cutting goal that should be pursued across the full scope of U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue initiatives.

PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR PEOPLE

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama welcomed the strong collaboration between India and the United States in the area of public health. They agreed to build on existing strong ties across academia and scientific communities by advancing public health and biomedical research collaborations between the United States and India. The two countries plan to establish a Regional Global Disease Detection Center in India and to build a partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The leaders also pledged to enhance collaboration in controlling diseases such as polio, and discovering new and affordable technologies and treatments for the benefit of their peoples and for those of other countries who seek their assistance.

TOWARDS MORE EFFECTIVE GLOBAL COOPERATION

Prime Minister Singh and President Obama recognized that the India-U.S. relationship is important for managing the challenges the world will face in the 21st century.
The two leaders underscored the compelling need to put in place global institutions which are both inclusive and effective to meet present and future challenges. They welcomed the emergence of the G-20 as a premier forum to deal with international economic issues. The two leaders recognized the scope for their countries to increase cooperation in peacekeeping, development and the promotion of essential human freedoms. They committed themselves to achieving genuine reform of the United Nations including in its Security Council in a manner that reflects the contemporary realities of the 21st century and thereby enhances its ability to carry out its mandate as a representative, credible and effective forum for meeting the challenges of the new century.
Prime Minister Singh thanked President Obama and the people of the United States of America for their generous hospitality and warm welcome. President Obama looks forward to visiting India with his family in the near future.

U.S. - India Strategic Dialogue ( 3 June, 2010 )

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and India’s External Affairs Minister, Shri S.M. Krishna, met in Washington on June 3, 2010, for the inaugural meeting of the “India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue.” President Barack Obama welcomed the Indian delegation and emphasized his commitment to strengthening the growing U.S.-India partnership.
Minister Krishna was accompanied by Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Shri Prithviraj Chavan and high ranking officials of the Government of India.
Secretary Clinton was joined by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, FBI Director Robert Mueller, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, the President’s Advisor for Science and Technology Dr. Holdren, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman, and other high ranking U.S. Government officials.
The U.S. – India Strategic Dialogue is propelled by the dynamic momentum achieved in the U.S.-India relationship over the last decade and is in pursuance of the global strategic partnership - for a better world that Prime Minister Singh and President Obama reaffirmed during their meetings in November 2009 and April 2010 in Washington. Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna pledged to deepen people-to-people, business-to-business, and government-to-government linkages between the world’s oldest and largest democracies, for the mutual benefit of both countries and for the promotion of global peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity. Both recalled that the India - U.S. partnership rests on the firm foundation of common ideals as well as security and economic interests. The guiding principles upon which both nations were founded – democracy, mutual respect, individual liberty, rule of law, and an appreciation for the strength we derive from being pluralistic societies – make the India -U.S. bond strong, resilient, and uniquely important for building a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable world.
They pledged that as strategic partners, India and the United States would continue to consult each other closely on regional and global developments, and remain sensitive to each other's interests. They confirmed that global institutions of governance should reflect contemporary realities and enhance effectiveness, in order to meet the challenges of the new century.
In addition to advancing global security and stability, both recognized that their two countries had enormous opportunities to deepen their cooperation in trade and investment, science and technology, infrastructure investment, environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, energy security, education, agriculture, food security, healthcare and empowerment of people.
The two leaders emphasized that the Strategic Dialogue and its detailed architecture is a vital instrument to pursue these goals.
The co--chairs welcomed the significant progress across all pillars of the India –U.S. Strategic Dialogue since its launch on July 20, 2009.

Advancing Global Security and Countering Terrorism

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton reiterated their shared goal of advancing security and stability across Asia, in particular, through the emergence of an open, balanced, and inclusive architecture of cooperation in the region. Secretary Clinton welcomed India's leadership role in helping to shape the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Asia. They shared their perspectives on South and Central Asia, East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean regions and pledged to expand regular high-level exchanges on regional issues of mutual concern.
Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna reiterated their shared interest and commitment to a stable, sovereign, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan. They reiterated the importance of a sustained international commitment to Afghanistan that builds local capacities through Afghan-led initiatives. Secretary Clinton welcomed India's vital contribution to reconstruction, capacity building and development efforts in Afghanistan and its offer to enhance efforts in this direction. Both sides pledged to explore opportunities for coordination on civilian assistance projects that advance Afghan self-sufficiency and build civilian capacity.
India and the U.S. committed to regularly consult with each other on Afghanistan. It is in our common interest that the people of Afghanistan succeed in their reconstruction and development efforts without outside interference, in an atmosphere free from violence and extremism. Afghanistan’s success is vital for the security and stability of the region.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton expressed grave concern over recent incidents in the United States and India that remind that terrorism and violent extremism know no boundaries and remain continuing threats to global, regional, and domestic security. They acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation in efforts to defeat terrorism. They reaffirmed the critical principle that no cause or grievance justifies terrorism in any form. They called for swift and credible steps to eliminate terrorist safe havens and vowed to strengthen global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism, including by working together at the UN toward adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that strengthens our efforts in combating terrorism.
Both Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton heralded the unprecedented and expanding India-U.S. counterterrorism partnership, as embodied in the recently announced U.S.-India Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative to enhance collaboration, information sharing and capacity building. Secretary Clinton reiterated the continued U.S. commitment to provide full cooperation and support in ongoing counterterrorism investigations, including through continued exchanges of information between designated agencies and by bringing the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terrorism attack to justice.
Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna also acknowledged the global dimension of cyberspace, the increasing interdependency in the area of information technology, and the excellent progress made in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Dialogue by the Indo-U.S. Working Group in this regard. They reiterated the necessity of building on this momentum to strengthen cooperative efforts in the area of ICT in general and also to address emerging transnational cyber-security challenges.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton expressed satisfaction with the strengthening of defense cooperation in recent years and stressed that security dialogues, service-level exchanges, and trade and technology transfer and collaboration on mutually determined terms were an intrinsic part of the strategic partnership and should be further strengthened. They welcomed the regular engagement of Armed Forces of both countries, including through conduct of joint military exercises. They recognized the scope for enhancement of defense trade between both countries to the mutual benefit of both sides.
Both countries pledged to continue to work together on areas of mutual interest including maritime security, counter-piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and response.

Disarmament and Non Proliferation

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton reiterated the two countries’ shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons and restated their commitment to address the challenges of global nuclear proliferation. Minister Krishna reiterated India’s appreciation for President Obama’s initiative to host the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC. They expressed satisfaction with the Summit’s outcome and the adoption of a Communiqué and Work Plan.

Secretary Clinton welcomed India’s announcement of establishing a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership with focus on advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and applications of radio isotopes and radiation technologies and appreciated India's intent to welcome participation by international partner countries and IAEA in the work of the Centre.

They also committed to continue working together to achieve an early start of negotiations on a multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament.

Trade and Economic Relations

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton, though encouraged by signs of global economic recovery, recognized that the recovery is fragile and requires sustained international support, including through concerted efforts by G-20 countries and continuing openness in trade policies and promoting innovation and growth. They looked forward to the next meeting of the G-20 in Canada. They called for a balanced and ambitious conclusion to the Doha Development Round, consistent with its mandate. As members of the G 20, they agreed to advance the G 20 understandings including with regard to energy security and resisting protectionism in all its forms.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton noted that both Governments have taken steps to strengthen their bilateral engagement and understanding in three broad areas – macroeconomic policy, financial sector, and infrastructure financing - through the launch of a new Economic and Financial Partnership’ between India’s Ministry of Finance and the Department of the Treasury in April 2010. They also took note of the accelerated work under the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF) led by the U.S. Trade Representative and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. One key result was the signing of a ‘Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment’ in March 2010 which, uniquely, is expected to contribute to realizing the further potential in bilateral trade and investment, supporting job creation in both countries.
High Technology
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton underlined the importance of facilitating co-operation in strategic and high technology sectors such as through the 7th meeting of the High Technology Cooperation Group in Washington in March 2010 as a key instrument to achieve the full potential of the strategic partnership. Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton confirmed the shared objective of a strong 21st century partnership in high technology. They committed to approach the issue of export controls in the spirit of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Energy Security, Clean Energy and Climate Change

The United States and India have taken crucial steps towards full implementation of civil nuclear cooperation. Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton reiterated that nuclear energy can make a significant contribution to building a sustainable and clean energy future. They highlighted the Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation Action Plan recently signed by the two countries.
They welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Arrangements and Procedures Agreed between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of India pursuant to Article 6(iii) of the India-U.S. Agreement Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, which sets forth the arrangements and procedures for India’s reprocessing of U.S.-obligated spent nuclear fuel.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton discussed progress on energy and climate change issues since the signing of the U.S.-India Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Security, Clean Energy, and Climate Change. They stressed that the Clean Energy and Climate Change Initiative they finalized last year would contribute to achieving sustainable development and a clean energy future for the people of both countries. The goal of establishing a Joint Clean Energy Research Center and accelerating collaborative efforts to deploy clean energy technologies in both countries remains a priority. They reiterated that the “Partnership to Advance Clean Energy,” to be launched by both countries to take full advantage of multi-agency coordination and engagement with the private sector, constitutes an important step forward in developing and deploying clean energy.
They discussed their respective national action plans and initiatives to address the challenge of climate change. They noted the enormous potential for scientific and commercial collaboration in clean energy technologies and recognized that their respective experience and expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency provided a sound platform for building their bilateral partnership further and supporting similar efforts in other countries, especially developing countries.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton reaffirmed their support for the Copenhagen Accord as a positive step forward in meeting the global climate challenge, and underscored its importance in building consensus in the ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC in pursuance of the Bali Action Plan, towards a successful outcome at the Sixteenth Conference of Parties at Cancun, Mexico, later this year. They also welcomed the launch of the India-U.S. Climate Dialogue, which seeks to enhance bilateral U.S.-India cooperation with a view to achieving a successful outcome of the ongoing multilateral climate change negotiations. They reiterated the importance of the Climate Dialogue in focusing and coordinating both countries’ priorities in dealing with climate change consistent with their national policies and strategies. In this regard, both sides recognized that further cooperation in knowledge on climate science can enhance our shared understanding of the planet’s climate. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the area of unconventional gas resources, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Energy Security, Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy and Climate Change.

Agriculture

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton noted that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation and Food Security would increase cooperation in agricultural research, human resources capacity building, natural resource management, agri-business and food processing, and collaborative research for increasing food productivity. They noted that India's experience with agricultural development in the framework of low capital intensity and diverse conditions offers useful lessons for other developing countries. They resolved to continue to look for innovative ways to work together to promote agricultural development and reduce rural poverty, promote global food security, and improve weather prediction and crop forecasting capabilities for agricultural purposes in order to improve livelihoods in the rural sectors. They also pledged to work together to improve the farm to market supply chain, food processing, and agricultural extension programs.

Education

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton acknowledged the positive contribution of cooperation in education and science and technology to bilateral relations. They noted the enormous potential for enhancing academic exchanges and collaboration, including through participation of U.S. universities in India, in the context of the ongoing reforms and expansion of the higher education and professional training sectors in India. Education cooperation is an area of high priority for the two Governments. They welcomed the steps taken towards implementation of the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative launched last year with the goal of increasing university linkages and junior faculty development exchanges between U.S. and Indian universities. They further welcomed in this context the formation of the India-U.S Higher Education Forum under the auspices of the U.S.-India Business Council.

Health

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton reviewed progress on the collaborative effort to establish a Regional Global Disease Detection Center in India. They acknowledged that the Health Dialogue would provide a framework to discuss ways to accelerate bilateral cooperation and collaborations, including exchanging views on extending affordable healthcare to all sections of the population and to continuing education and training for health care practitioners at all levels of service. Both governments pledged to enhance bilateral collaboration in controlling and preventing diseases, assuring food and medical product safety, and increasing biomedical and translational research and development with the goal of identifying new and effective methods of medical treatment and ensuring equitable access of such outcomes to the citizens of both the countries.

Science and Technology

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of science and technology collaboration, both in economic and strategic areas. They welcomed the progress on the India-U.S. Science and Technology Joint Committee and the endowment. The United States and India are using their strong common scientific expertise to improve the lives of their citizens, push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, and identify projects to encourage engagement on innovation and entrepreneurship. They noted the upcoming U.S.-India Joint Committee Meeting in late June to push this agenda forward; both governments reinforced the need to support science and technology research aimed at innovation.

Development

Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton noted with satisfaction the emphasis that the two governments place on empowerment of women and advancement of their welfare, as an integral part of social and economic development worldwide. They stressed the importance of empowerment of women for global prosperity and stability. They resolved to place special emphasis on integrating women's interests in all aspects of their strategic dialogue and bilateral cooperation. They welcomed the second meeting of the Women's Empowerment Dialogue held on 27th May, 2010, where both sides discussed women’s social and economic empowerment, capacity building for self help groups, support for micro finance, political participation of women, addressing violence against women, early childhood education and gender budgeting. They also agreed on the need to work out modalities for supporting Afghan women leaders in the area of economic opportunity.
Minister Krishna and Secretary Clinton pledged to continue bilateral discussions on their identified ongoing initiatives on global issues of common concern through the Global Issues Forum which is focused on how the world’s two largest democracies can form a truly global partnership by working through regional, international and multilateral cooperation.
In Pursuance of the Strategic Dialogue, Secretary Clinton and Minister Krishna expressed their shared view that the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue and the bilateral mechanisms therein provide an important platform for strengthening the U.S.-India partnership, offering a strategic vision for enhanced future cooperation. The U.S. and Indian delegations look forward to further discussions on specific matters raised at the Dialogue through expanded high-level official engagement, working groups, and existing bilateral dialogues.
Secretary Clinton confirmed President Barack Obama’s intention to visit India this year at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the leaders’ fourth substantive bilateral meeting. The co-chairs noted that this inaugural meeting of the Strategic Dialogue has helped lay the groundwork for that visit and pledged to intensify discussions on how to further deepen and broaden their cooperation.
The two sides plan to hold the next meeting of the Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi in the first half of 2011.
(Source: MEA,GOI)