India Re ie - Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. 13.pdfIndia Re ie Pa n India, US ... on Defense Cooperation issued Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with U.S. President Barack Obama

A Publication of the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C.

October 1, 2013

� Vol. 9 Issue 10 � www.indianembassy.org

India Review

Partners of first resort

nn India, US sign firstcommercial agreementunder n-deal

nn India calls for focus on poverty eradication

nn Joint Declarationon DefenseCooperation issued

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with U.S. President Barack Obama during their summit meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 27.

India ReviewOctober 2013

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PAGEAmbassador’s

When strategic partnersand sister democracieslike India and the UnitedStates of America meet,

the world sits up and takes note.Therefore, the visit of India’s PrimeMinister, Dr Manmohan Singh toWashington, D.C. and his upcomingmeeting with President Barack Obamashines the light on a vital relationshipof great importance not only becauseof its bilateral impact, but the differ-ence it makes for peace and progresseverywhere.Contributors to this supplement have

raised several important questions inthe context of this relationship and itsgrowth over the last decade. It isacknowledged that there has been aremarkable improvement in relationsbetween the two countries over the lastdecade, and that for India, the range ofengagement with the U.S. (over 30dialogue mechanisms) far exceeds thatwith any other country. No longer arethere hyphens attached to India inthinking circles in Washington; thecivilian nuclear deal overcame difficultlegacies of the past, and the U.S. hasreset not only its vision of India, butalso India’s place in Asia and the world.The defense of pluralism, of

diversity, of democracy is a mutuallyshared perspective. There is also recog-nition of the pivotal role played by theIndian-American community.But our learned contributors also

speak of a need for work on both sidesto re-launch the partnership, to dispelperception of a loss of momentum, toset long term goals in the bilateral rela-tionship, to impress upon Americansthat India is a place where they can dobusiness. With the good sense pos-

sessed by democracies, it is also amplyrecognized that unidimensionalapproaches cannot dictate the mannerin which the relationship is transacted.This cannot detract however, from

the fundamentally positive orientationof relations between India and theUnited States.Speaking in Mumbai during his visit

to India in July this year, the VicePresident Joe Biden put it in his inim-itable way, ‘I am absolutely confident— absolutely confident in the future ofthis relationship. Not because I’mnaïve. I’ve been around longer thanmost of you. I’ve been doing this kindof business my entire adult life. Myconfidence is based on the history ofthe journey of both our countries. ButI am confident.’And as Vice-President Biden also put

it, there is no hyperbole in the defini-tion of this relationship as a ‘definingpartnership.’Congressman Joe Crowley, co-chair,

House Caucus on India and the IndianAmericans, writing in this supplement,says, “We have simply come too fartogether to turn back,” adding that“the fruits of cooperation far outweighthe costs of discord.”There is a sense of maturity in the

relationship today, as RobertHathaway notes in these pages, whichmore than compensates for the senseof anticipation that coursed throughthe veins a few years ago. A “settledroutine” prevails. A measured sense ofmature realism underscored by basicgoodwill and empathy is not to belightly dismissed. It can be the lodestarfor a durable relationship where thebest is yet to be.When I recce the landscape of our

bilateral relations, I direct the pointertowards our enhanced engagement inareas like defense and security,exchange of high-level visits, the regu-lar meetings of the India-U.S.Strategic Dialogue since 2010, ourburgeoning trade and economic part-nership, and the sharper focus that hasbeen brought to the “people-centric”dimension of our relationship, togetherwith our cooperation in sectors such aseducation, energy, S&T, innovation,health and space science. Contactsbetween states in India and those in theUnited States have also been a featureof our exchanges. The U.S. Congress,and particularly members of the IndiaCaucus, have time and again showntheir focus and commitment to thecause of better U.S.-India relations.This is a silent revolution, not a block-buster one, but epochal all the same.In civil nuclear cooperation, nego-

tiations between India’s NuclearPower Corporation andWestinghouse as also GE-Hitachi areunder way. Progress even if slow, issteady, sustained by the political willof both governments to ensure thatthis cooperation achieves its goals.We look forward to continued U.S.support and cooperation in securingIndia’s membership of the four multi-lateral export control regimes. In defense, our cooperation has

intensified with growing defensetrade, joint exercises, personnelexchanges, cooperation in maritimesecurity and counter piracy opera-tions.

The full article can be viewed at:http://im.rediff.com/news/2013/sep/

26ia-magazine_2-3.pdf

The silent revolutionIndia and the U.S. share more than a partnership; they share afellowship forged on the anvil of shared interests, values, andconcerns. Following is an excerpt from Ambassador NirupamaRao’s write-up on the journey so far and the way forward,published at the India Abroad Magazine on September 27


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Poverty continues to be amajor political and econom-ic challenge of the world anda collective effort is needed

to eradicate this global scourge,Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhsaid on September 28.“...The problems of over a billion

people living in abject poverty aroundthe world need to be attacked moredirectly,” he said during the course ofhis speech at the annual debate of theUN General Assembly. “Poverty remains a major political

and economic challenge and its erad-ication requires special attention anda new collective thrust. This priorityshould anchor the post-2015Development Agenda, which shouldbe shaped by the member states sothat it enjoys the broadest possiblesupport and acceptance.”The Prime Minister said that though

the issues of peace, security, humanrights and governance were importantand needed to be addressed, “we willfall short of realizing an ambitiouspost-2015 development agenda if wefocus merely on governance issues atthe cost of robust economic growth”.“This agenda should not be merely

about reprioritizing domestic spend-ing, but also about fostering genuineinternational partnership between thedeveloping and developed countriesto bring about change,” PrimeMinister Singh said. “All of us need the policy space nec-

essary to set our own domestic prior-ities. No one knows the condition ofdeveloping countries better than thedeveloping countries themselves.”He urged the UN to set clear and

concise goals and provide practicaland well-defined means of implemen-tation, “including adequate flow ofresources and transfer of technology,taking the views of developing coun-tries fully into account”.

The full text of Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh’s statement in theGeneral Debate of the 68th Sessionof the UN General Assembly:“At a time when the world is facingmultiple challenges, there is renewedattention on the role of the UnitedNations in advancing internationalpeace, security and prosperity.However, never has scepticism aboutthe UN’s capacity to do so been high-er, or the external environment lesspropitious for multilateralism.Nearly seven decades of the work

of the United Nations hold one sim-ple lesson and that is this: we aremost successful when we adhere tothe letter and spirit of the UnitedNations Charter, basing our deci-sions on the widest possible consentand balancing equitably the needs

and responsibilities of nations at dif-ferent stages of development.In these seven decades, the world

has changed in fundamental ways.Asia and Africa are independent andresurgent. Countries are now not onlymore interdependent, but also facenew and increasingly complex chal-lenges. For multilateralism to remainrelevant and effective in the future,multilateral institutions need to bereformed urgently.The place to begin is right here.The UN Security Council must be

reformed and restructured to reflectcurrent political realities. More devel-oping countries should be included asboth permanent and non-permanentmembers.Multilateral Financial Institutions

should also enable an enhanced voicefor developing countries in their deci-sion making structures.Multilateral efforts must guide our

quest for peace and security, wherev-er they are threatened. And the cen-trality and contribution of the UN sys-tem to development must be restored.These objectives require the building

of a new international consensus, suit-ed to our time and rooted in today’srealities. It is only such a plan of actionthat will enable the UN to meet thetwin tests of legitimacy and effective-ness and efficiency.We commend your choice for the

theme of this session. Setting thestage for the post-2015 DevelopmentAgenda is especially important as wedeal with a lingering global economicslowdown and continuing volatility infinancial markets. These haveimposed disproportionately heavycosts on developing countries andvulnerable groups within them.Growth and inclusive development

are naturally important for all ourcountries. They require a supportiveinternational economic environment,

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing atthe 68th Session of the United Nations GeneralAssembly, in New York on September 28.

India calls for focus on poverty eradicationGenuine international partnership between the developing and developed

countries is the need of the hour, says Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh


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enhanced investment flows, includingfrom multilateral development banks,transfer of technology, and an openmultilateral trading regime.But the problems of over a billion

people living in abject poverty aroundthe world need to be attacked moredirectly. Poverty remains a majorpolitical and economic challenge andits eradication requires special atten-tion and a new collective thrust. Thispriority should anchor the post-2015Development Agenda, which shouldbe shaped by the member states sothat it enjoys the broadest possiblesupport and acceptance.Issues of peace, security, human

rights and governance are importantand need to be addressed. But we willfall short of realizing an ambitious

post-2015 development agenda if wefocus merely on governance issues atthe cost of robust economic growth.This agenda should not be merely

about reprioritizing domestic spend-ing, but also about fostering genuineinternational partnership between thedeveloping and developed countriesto bring about change. All of us needthe policy space necessary to set ourown domestic priorities. No oneknows the condition of developingcountries better than the developingcountries themselves.It is, therefore, important that the

UN set clear and concise goals andprovide practical and well-definedmeans of implementation, includingadequate flow of resources and trans-fer of technology, taking the views of

developing countries fully intoaccount.A meaningful post-2015 agenda

must place equally high priority onfood and nutrition, health, education,infrastructure, water, sanitation, ener-gy and discrimination against women.Especially critical is women’s equalaccess to economic opportunities, andthat they do not become victims of vio-lence or targets of prejudice.In India, we have sought to promote

inclusive development in multiple ways.Legislation has broadened access toeducation and secured rural liveli-hoods. We are now building the world’slargest programme for food security.Digital technology is being harnessedto improve the delivery of public servic-es and benefits to the people.

India and other G4 countries, Brazil,Germany and Japan, all aspiring for perma-nent membership of the Security Council,have called for intensifying efforts for urgentUN Security Council reforms “to better reflectgeopolitical realities of the 21st century”.In a joint statement issued after a meetingof the foreign ministers of the G4 nations onthe margins of the UN General Assembly, they“underscored that, almost 70 years after thecreation of the United Nations, reform of theSecurity Council is long overdue”.Besides Indian External Affairs MinisterSalman Khurshid, the meeting was attendedby Brazil’s Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado,Germany’s Guido Westerwelle and Japan’sFumio Kishida.They agreed that difficulties of the Security

Council in dealing with international challenges,including current ones, have further highlightedthe need for UN Security Council reform.This would “better reflect geopolitical real-ities of the 21st century and make the Councilmore broadly representative, efficient andtransparent and thus to further enhance itseffectiveness and the legitimacy and imple-mentation of its decisions,” they said.Recalling that almost 10 years ago, in the

Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit,international leaders committed themselves toan early reform of the Security Council, the

“ministers stressed the need to intensify effortsto translate, at the latest by 2015, the existingagreement into concrete outcomes”.The G4 countries reiterated their commit-ments as aspiring new permanent membersof the UN Security Council, as well as theirsupport for each other’s candidatures.They also reaffirmed their view of the

importance of developing countries, in partic-ular Africa, to be represented in both the per-

manent and non-permanent categories of anenlarged Council. Underlining the need to achieve concreteprogress in the 68th Session of the UN GeneralAssembly, the ministers said they looked for-ward to working closely with John Ashe, UNGeneral Assembly president and the Chair ofthe Intergovernmental Negotiations “to bringabout the urgently needed reform of theSecurity Council”.

G4 nations seek urgent UNSC reforms

From left, India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan FumioKishida, Foreign Minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle and Minister of External Relations of Brazil,Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, in New York on September 26. Photo: Mohammed Jaffer-SnapsIndia


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India is proud of its partnershipswith developing countries. Using mod-est resources, we have built strong tieswith Africa and the Least DevelopedCountries. We are committed to build-ing 100 institutions in Africa, haveoffered capacity building supportincluding thousands of scholarships,and made available concessional assis-tance of over 9.5 billion US dollars.India and Africa are engaging throughthe India-Africa Forum Summitprocess. We also look forward to par-ticipating actively in the 3rdConference on the Small IslandDeveloping States in Samoa in 2014and contributing to its outcome.Climate change is one of the defin-

ing challenges of our times. We mustsummon the necessary political will forcrafting a robust global response to cli-mate change on the basis of equity andthe principle of common but differen-tiated responsibilities.We are deeply concerned about the

future of West Asia, a region withwhich India shares deep bonds of his-tory, and one that is critical for ourenergy security as well as the liveli-hoods of nearly seven million Indianswho work and live in the region. The increasingly lethal conflict in

Syria is not only a tragedy for thepeople of Syria, but also threatensstability and security in the regionand beyond. It has been made worseby the use of chemical weapons. Theuse of chemical weapons, whosoevermay have deployed them, must becondemned in the strongest terms.India supports strongly the elimina-tion of chemical weapons materialand equipment in Syria.There is no military solution to this

conflict. We must intensify efforts toend the conflict and seek a politicalsettlement. It is essential that theGeneva-2 conference be convened atthe earliest.

We are encouraged that direct talkshave resumed between Israel andPalestine. India supports an early real-ization of a sovereign, independent,viable and united State of Palestine,with East Jerusalem as its capital, livingwithin secure and recognized bordersside-by-side and at peace with Israel.We also remain committed to thePalestinian quest for full membershipof the UN.In our own region, Afghanistan pre-

pares for a historic political, securityand economic transition. The interna-tional community must support thepeople of Afghanistan through thistransition and beyond in combatingterrorism, preserving the progress ofthe past decade and creating a stable,united and prosperous Afghanistan.Terrorism remains a grave threat to

security and stability everywhere andextracts a heavy toll of innocent livesaround the world. From Africa to Asia,we have seen several manifestations ofthis menace in the last few days alone.State-sponsored cross-border terror-ism is of particular concern to India,also on account of the fact that the epi-center of terrorism in our region islocated in our neighborhood inPakistan.Speaking from this podium yester-

day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ofPakistan spoke of making a new begin-ning. I reciprocate his sentiments andam looking forward to meeting himtomorrow. India is committed sincere-ly to resolving all issues with Pakistan,including the issue of Jammu andKashmir, through bilateral dialogue onthe basis of the Shimla Agreement.However, for progress to be made, it isimperative that the territory of Pakistanand the areas under its control are notutilized for aiding and abetting terror-ism directed against India. It is equallyimportant that the terrorist machinerythat draws its sustenance from

Pakistan be shut down. There must bea clear understanding of the factJammu and Kashmir is an integral partof India and that there can never, ever,be a compromise with the unity andterritorial integrity of India.We need to renew our commitment,

especially here at the UN, for concert-ed, cohesive and continuing globalaction against terrorism. There can beno tolerance for states sheltering, arm-ing, training or financing terrorists.Nor can they absolve themselves of theresponsibility to prevent their territo-ries from being used to launch acts ofterrorism.The increasingly complex challenges

to international peace and securityrequire a new international consensusto be built, whether it is in cyber secu-rity, non proliferation or terrorism.This year, 25 years after PrimeMinister Rajiv Gandhi put forward acomprehensive Action Plan for aNuclear Weapon-free and Non-violentWorld Order, we must strengthenefforts against nuclear proliferationand pursue time-bound, universal,non-discriminatory, phased and verifi-able nuclear disarmament. We mustalso guard against terrorists and non-state actors gaining access to sensitivematerials and technologies.Two years from now, the United

Nations will be seventy years old.Every new state that was born duringthis period took its place in thisAssembly not just with pride but alsowith hope. 2015 will be a moment tocelebrate our successes and to ensurethat the UN is ready for this century bycompleting the much needed reformsof the United Nations and its SecurityCouncil, by developing an ambitiousand balanced post-2015 DevelopmentAgenda and by demonstrating ourcapacity to cooperate effectively fordurable peace and security in thisworld.”

WE MUST SUMMON THE NECESSARY POLITICAL WILL FOR CRAFTING A ROBUST GLOBALRESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE BASIS OF EQUITY AND THE PRINCIPLE OF COMMON BUT DIFFERENTIATED RESPONSIBILITIES — PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH


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India and the U.S. are workingtogether to give their coopera-tion a new sense of commit-ment, widening and deepening

it in diverse directions, PrimeMinister Dr. Manmohan Singh saidafter his third bilateral summit withPresident Barack Obama inWashington, D.C. on September 27. The two nations, united by com-

mon democratic values not onlypledged to expand their cooperationin areas of trade, investment andtechnology, but also resolved to

strengthen their global strategic part-nership by “exploring avenues ofcooperation in new areas like energycooperation, clean coal technologies,energy-efficient technologies, coop-eration in the field of environment,cooperation in the field of defenseand security-related, cooperationwith regard to intelligence gatheringand counter-terrorism”.In a joint statement after the meet-

ing, Prime Minister Singh andPresident Obama stated that India-U.S. relations have transformed so

much over the last one decade that “thepartnership between the two demo-cratic nations is stronger today than atany point in their 67-year history.”Succinctly embodying the progressmade by the two countries in strength-ening their relations, the joint state-ment further stated, “The two coun-tries have crossed a threshold in theirrelations where both recognize thatsuccesses at home and abroad are fur-ther advanced by their cooperation.”Affirming their deep concern over

the continuing threat posed by terror-

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with U.S. President Barack Obama during their summit meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 27.Photo: Photo Division

Partners of first resortPrime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama vow tomake the next decade of India-U.S. relations ‘equally as transformative’ asthe last one, as security cooperation, bilateral trade and investment, energyand environment, higher education, and global architecture take center stage

at their third bilateral summit in Washington, D.C.


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ism, the joint statement not only“strongly condemned” theSeptember 26 terrorist attack onIndia, but also called for Pakistan towork toward bringing the perpetra-tors of the November 2008 Mumbaiattacks to justice.The two leaders also stressed the

need “for joint and concerted effort,including dismantling of terrorist safehavens, and disrupting all financialand tactical support for terrorism.”They “decided to significantly

expand information sharing andintelligence cooperation to addressthreats to their respective nationsincluding strengthening the bilateralrelationship to exchange informationon known and suspected terrorists.”

The two leaders welcomed thesigning of the first commercial agree-ment between NPCIL andWashington under their landmarkcivil nuclear agreement and pledgedto expand defense relationship.Both governments, the joint state-

ment noted, “are committed toreduce impediments, ease commer-cial transactions, and pursue co-pro-duction and co-development oppor-tunities to expand this relationship.”Noting the transformation of

India-U.S. relations during the lastdecade, the two leaders pledged to“make the next decade equally astransformative, challenging their gov-ernments to reach the full potential ofthis partnership.”

The two leaders called for expand-ing security cooperation betweenIndia and the U.S. to “address 21stcentury challenges in the areas ofcounter-terrorism, cyber, space, andglobal health security,” the jointstatement said.Noting that two-way trade has

increased fivefold since 2001 to near-ly $100 billion, President Obama andPrime Minister Singh agreed that“there are no insurmountable imped-iments to bilateral trade increasing anadditional fivefold.”They also reaffirmed their commit-

ment to concluding a high-standardBilateral Investment Treaty. Such a treaty will “foster openness

to investment, transparency, and

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh being welcomed on his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, in Washington. Ambassador Nirupama Rao is also seen.Photo: Photo Division

PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ENDORSED A JOINT DECLARATION ON DEFENSE COOPERATION AS A MEANS OF ENHANCING THEIRPARTNERSHIP IN DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, JOINT RESEARCH, CO-DEVELOPMENTAND CO-PRODUCTION


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predictability, and thereby supporteconomic growth and job creation inboth countries,” they said.Both sides also agreed to consider

establishing a Joint Committee onInvestment in Manufacturing “toaddress all trade and investment policy issues of bilateral concern so asto remove obstacles and improve thebusiness environment in both countries.”The third bilateral summit between

Prime Minister Singh and PresidentObama, the joint statement said,“demonstrates that the interests ofthe United States and India continueto converge, and this partnership willindeed be a defining one for the 21stCentury.”

Following is the joint statementissued after Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh’s summit meeting with President BarackObama in Washington D.C.:“Prime Minister of India Dr.Manmohan Singh and President ofthe United States of America BarackObama met this morning followed bya working luncheon at the WhiteHouse. Marking their third bilateralsummit, the two leaders reflectedproudly on the transformation ofUnited States-India relations duringthe last decade, affirming that thepartnership between the two demo-cratic nations is stronger today thanat any point in their 67-year history. Rooted in common democratic val-

ues and strong people to people ties,the United States and India havedeveloped a comprehensive globalstrategic partnership, both in nameand in substance that has made theircitizens safer and more prosperous. President Obama and Prime

Minister Singh pledged to make thenext decade equally as transforma-tive, challenging their governments toreach the full potential of this part-nership, particularly in the areas ofsecurity cooperation, bilateral tradeand investment, energy and environ-ment, higher education, and globalarchitecture. The leaders called for expanding

security cooperation between theUnited States and India to address21st century challenges in the areas ofcounter-terrorism, cyber, space, andglobal health security. Applauding bilateral defense coop-

eration, including trade and militaryexercises, President Obama andPrime Minister Singh expressed satis-faction with the progress achieved todate in defense relations. Theyemphasized the need for more inten-sive defense cooperation on bothsides. The leaders reaffirmed theirdesire to further strengthen defensetrade cooperation endorsing a JointDeclaration on Defense Cooperationas a means of enhancing their part-nership in defense technology trans-fer, joint research, co-developmentand co-production. President Obamaencouraged the further participationof U.S. firms in partnering India’sefforts to enhance its defense capaci-ties. President Obama also welcomedIndia’s decision to participate in theRim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) navalexercise hosted by U.S. PacificCommand in 2014. Affirming their deep concern over

the continuing threat posed by terror-ism, President Obama and PrimeMinister Singh stressed the need forjoint and concerted effort, including

dismantling of terrorist safe havens,and disrupting all financial and tacti-cal support for terrorism. The leadersdecided to significantly expand infor-mation sharing and intelligence coop-eration to address threats to theirrespective nations including strength-ening the bilateral relationship toexchange information on known andsuspected terrorists. The leadersemphasized the importance ofexpanding homeland security cooper-ation to enhance exchanges onmegacity policing strategies, securingthe global supply chain and anti-counterfeiting efforts. India wel-comed the U.S. offer of membershipin the U.S. ‘Global Entry’ TrustedTraveler Network Program, to facili-tate expedited entry of Indian travel-ers to the United States. Noting that two-way trade has

increased five-fold since 2001 tonearly $100 billion, President Obamaand Prime Minister Singh agreed thatthere are no insurmountable impedi-ments to bilateral trade increasing anadditional fivefold. President Obamaexpressed confidence that the ongo-ing Indian economic reforms andpolicy measures to liberalize India’seconomy would accelerate economicgrowth, opening greater avenues fortrade and creating jobs in both coun-

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh signing the visitors book, during the luncheon meeting hosted by U.S.President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 27.


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tries. In this respect, the leaders rec-ognized in particular the role andcontribution of the Indian and U.S.Information Technology industry andthe IT enabled service industry instrengthening India-U.S. trade andinvestment relations. The leaders reaffirmed their com-

mitment to concluding a high-stan-dard Bilateral Investment Treaty thatwill foster openness to investment,transparency, and predictability, andthereby support economic growthand job creation in both countries.The leaders welcomed progresstowards increased engagement byexperts from both governments,underlining the need for expeditiousprogress to address all trade andinvestment policy issues of bilateralconcern so as to remove obstaclesand improve the business environ-ment in both countries. In thisrespect, both sides agreed to consid-er establishing a Joint Committee onInvestment in Manufacturing.

The leaders also committed theirofficials to work toward a successfuloutcome at the World TradeOrganization Ministerial Conferencein Bali. The leaders welcomed the robust

cooperation in cutting-edge scientificresearch and joint collaboration inscience, innovation, and entrepre-neurship, for the benefit of citizens inboth countries. The United Stateswelcomed the invitation by India forthe United States to be PartnerCountry in India’s Science andTechnology Summit in 2014. President Obama and Prime

Minister Singh discussed ways tostrengthen bilateral efforts to pro-mote energy efficiency, clean energy,and address climate change. In the civil nuclear power sector,

President Obama and Prime MinisterSingh noted that, with government-to-government procedures agreed,commercial negotiations betweenU.S. companies and the Nuclear

Power Corporation of India (NPCIL)are proceeding. They welcomed theannouncement that NPCIL and U.S.nuclear company Westinghouse haveconcluded a Preliminary Contract todevelop a nuclear power plant inGujarat in India. Building on this, theleaders urged NPCIL and U.S. com-panies Westinghouse and GeneralElectric-Hitachi to expedite the neces-sary work to establish nuclear powerplants in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.Both sides reaffirmed their commit-ment to the full and timely implemen-tation of the India-U.S. Civil NuclearCooperation Agreement. The U.S.-India Partnership to

Advance Clean Energy (PACE),launched by the two Leaders in 2009,is expected to pave the way for ener-gy to millions of Indian households.To expand the availability of cleanenergy resources to more people,President Obama and Prime MinisterSingh endorsed the proposal tolaunch Promoting Energy Access

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the luncheon meeting hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House, in Washington, D.C. on September27. Photo: Photo Division

BOTH SIDES RECOGNIZED THE ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION OF THE INDIAN AND U.S.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY AND THE IT ENABLED SERVICE INDUSTRY INSTRENGTHENING INDIA-U.S. TRADE AND INVESTMENT RELATIONS


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As Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singharrived in Washington on September 26for his third summit with President BarackObama, in a reflection of strong bipartisansupport in the U.S. Congress for India-U.S.strategic partnership, the Unites States Senatepassed a resolution welcoming Prime MinisterSingh to the United States. The resolution, which was passed by unan-

imous consent, was sponsored by the Co-chair of Senate India Caucus, Senator MarkWarner of Virginia and Co-sponsored by theother Co-chair of Senate India Caucus,Senator John Cornyn of Texas, Chairman ofSenate Foreign Relations Committee, SenatorRobert Menendez of New Jersey and SenatorMark Kirk of Illinois.

Following is the text of the resolution“Welcoming the Prime Minister of India tothe United States for meetings to advancethe United States-India partnership”:Welcoming the Prime Minister of India tothe United States for meetings to advance theUnited States-India partnership. Whereas, on August 15, 1947, Indiabecame a sovereign, democratic nation; Whereas India is the world’s largestdemocracy, embracing fundamental libertiesand freedoms, justice, and the rule of law; Whereas India is a multi-ethnic, multi-cul-tural, and multi-religious society that pro-motes tolerance, diversity, and equality; Whereas a strong relationship with India,the world’s largest democracy, is criticallyimportant to United States interests; Whereas the 2014 parliamentary electionsin India are a further opportunity to strength-en the democratic institutions of the world’slargest democracy; Whereas the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has led his governmentin undertaking a series of reforms designed tostrengthen the Indian economy and transformthe bilateral economic relationship into a true strategic partnership; Whereas India is one of the world’s fastest

growing and dynamic economies, and astrong, economically competitive India is ulti-

mately good for American business andAmerican jobs; Whereas the 100,000 Indians who are

studying in the United States and the2,700,000 Americans of Indian descent livingin the United States, including NobelLaureates, artists, business leaders, journal-ists, and public servants, have contributedenormously to the rich social, political, andeconomic fabric of the United States; Whereas India serves as a pivotal andeffective partner in ensuring internationalpeace and security and is the third largestcontributor of personnel to United Nationspeacekeeping missions; Whereas security and defense cooperation

between the United States and India continuesto grow, as India remains a steadfast partner incountering the rise of extremists and currentlyparticipates in more naval exercises with theUnited States than any other nation; Whereas the Defense Trade Initiative is suc-cessfully realigning India and United Statesprocurement processes and United States mil-itary sales to India have totaled almost$9,000,000,000 in the last several years; Whereas India is the largest regional con-tributor to reconstruction efforts inAfghanistan and will be an important partnerin the transition of United States forces fromAfghanistan in 2014; Whereas the market economy in India has

contributed to increased economic opportuni-ties, reduced poverty, and accompanying sta-bility; Whereas foreign direct investment and atransparent and progressive investment cli-mate can play a critical role in economicdevelopment in India and strengtheningUnited States-India economic relations; Whereas the foundation of a strong eco-nomic partnership between India and theUnited States requires a mutual respect forinnovation and an investment environmentthat fosters continued research and develop-ment; Whereas a Bilateral Investment Treatywould prolific protections for investors andhelp unleash needed investment in India;

Whereas furthering the bilateral dialogue ontrade and investment is key to broadening anddeepening the economic relationship betweenthe United States and India, which can provideboth Indian and American companies in-creased opportunities for exports; and Whereas a strong relationship between thepeople and Governments or the United Statesand India, based on mutual trust and respect,will enable the countries to more closely col-laborate across a broad spectrum of interests,such as global peace and prosperity, countert-errorism, defense, nonproliferation, economicprosperity, energy and climate change, edu-cation, scientific research, outer space, publichealth, and agriculture: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate —

1. warmly welcomes the Prime Minister ofIndia, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on his visit tothe United States, which provides a timelyopportunity to reinforce the United States-India relationship and make progress on anumber or fronts;

2. believes that together, the Governments ofIndia and the United States can bringimmense benefits to their people and makeenormous contributions to addressing theglobal challenges of the 21st century;

3. looks forward to making progress on arange of issues to deepen and broaden thestrategic partnership between India andthe United States;

4. welcomes continued progress towards aBi-lateral Investment Treaty;5. supports progress and implementation ofthe landmark United States-India civilnuclear agreement; 6. acknowledges that the progress made bythe Government of India on economicreforms has opened new channels for for-eign direct investment, and believes furtherliberalization can bring increased prosperi-ty to both countries; and

7. recognizes there is strong potential togrow the bilateral relationship andincrease cooperation between the UnitedStates and India, elevating the relationshipto an even stronger strategic partnership.

Unanimous U.S. Senate Resolution Welcomes Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh

through Clean Energy (PEACE), aPACE initiative, to rapidly deployinnovative renewable energy solu-tions to those who currently lackaccess to energy. Recognizing that climate change is

a defining challenge of our time andthat there are mutual benefits to

intensifying cooperation, PresidentObama and Prime Minister Singhannounced the establishment of anIndia-U.S. Climate Change WorkingGroup to develop and advanceaction-oriented cooperation, as wellas to begin an enhanced dialoguefocusing on working closely in devel-

oping an ambitious climate changeagreement for the post-2020 period,and on strengthening bilateral effortsin this regard. The two leaders agreed to immedi-

ately convene the India-U.S. TaskForce on hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs) to discuss, inter alia, multi-


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CoverSTORY

Following is the transcript of statement tomedia by Prime Minister Dr. ManmohanSingh after his bilateral meeting with U.S.President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.

“I have always believed that India andAmerica are indispensable partners. During the time that I have been PrimeMinister and particularly during the time thatPresident Obama and I have worked together,I think President Obama has made an out-standing contribution to strengthening,widening and deepening of our cooperationin diverse fields. When I came to America in 2005, in

addressing the United States’ Congress I saidthere are partnerships based on principlesand partnerships based on pragmatism. Ithen said that in the case of Indo-Americancooperation, both principles of our commit-ment to democratic values, rule of law andpragmatism, both combined to make usstrong and durable partners. And I am veryhappy to say that during the last five yearsthat I have worked together with PresidentObama, that process has got strengthened inevery possible way. India and America are working together togive our cooperation a new sense of commit-ment, widening and deepening it in diversedirections. We are cooperating in expandingthe frontiers of trade, investment in technolo-gy. Our bilateral trade today is $100 billion.American investments in India are $80 billionand they are growing despite the slowdown

in the global economy. Outside the area oftrade, technology and investment, we areexploring avenues of cooperation in newareas like energy cooperation, clean coaltechnologies, energy-efficient technologies,cooperation in the field of environment, coop-eration in the field of defense and security-related, cooperation with regard to intelli-gence gathering and counter-terrorism. In allthese areas India needs the United States tobe standing by our side. And I am verypleased to know that President Obama hasimparted a powerful impetus to that processof our two countries being on the same page. The President briefed me about his initia-tives both with regard to Syria and withregard to Iran; and I complimented him for hisvision, for his courage in giving diplomacy yetanother chance. India fully supports these ini-

tiatives because six million Indians live in theWest Asia and the Middle East. They earntheir livelihood. Their …(Inaudible)… animportant role of sustaining our balance ofpayments. Therefore, anything that con-tributes to peace and stability in the MiddleEast, in Iran, in Syria, is something which is inthe interest of the global economy. It is cer-tainly in the interest of people in the region inwhich India is placed. We have also discussed our relations andour approach to dealing with Afghanistanand Pakistan. I explained to President Obamathe difficulties that we face given the fact thatthe epicenter of terror still remains focused inPakistan. And I look forward to meeting withPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif even though theexpectations have to be toned down giventhe terror arm which is still active in our sub-continent. Overall, I have come here to thankPresident Obama for all that he has done tostrengthen, widen and deepen the coopera-tion between our two countries. I explained to the President that India is a

poor country. Our basic task is to improve thestandard of living of our people, to get rid ofmass poverty, ignorance and disease whichstill afflict millions and millions of our people,and in that struggle we want America tostand by our side. And in the President theUnited States has a leader who realizes andrecognizes the contribution that resurgentIndia can make not only to fighting povertybut also to global peace and prosperity.”

‘India and the U.S. are indispensable partners’

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

INDIA WELCOMED THE U.S. OFFER OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE U.S. ‘GLOBAL ENTRY’TRUSTED TRAVELLER NETWORK PROGRAM, TO FACILITATE EXPEDITED ENTRY OF INDIAN TRAVELLERS TO THE UNITED STATES

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lateral approaches that include usingthe expertise and the institutions ofthe Montreal Protocol to phase downthe consumption and production ofHFCs, based on economically-viableand technically feasible alternatives,and include HFCs within the scope ofthe United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocolfor accounting and reporting of emis-sions. The leaders are committed to sup-

port the full implementation of theagreed outcomes under the UNFCCCwith its ongoing negotiations. Theystrongly welcomed the efforts of theSecretary-General of the UnitedNations to mobilize political willthrough 2014 toward the successfuladoption of a protocol, another legalinstrument, or an agreed outcome withlegal force under the convention appli-cable to all parties by 2015, duringCOP-21 that France stands ready tohost. They also supported complimen-tary initiatives, through multilateralapproaches that include using theexpertise and the institutions of theMontreal Protocol to phase down theproduction and the consumption ofHFCs, based on the examination ofeconomically viable and technicallyfeasible alternatives. They will continueto include HFCs within the scope of

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with U.S. President Barack Obama at their summit meeting, at the White House, in Washington, D.C. on September 27.Photo: Shahbaz Khan/PTI

India, U.S. sign first commercialagreement under n-deal

The Nuclear Power Corporation of IndiaLtd (NPCIL) and the Westinghouse ElectricCompany have signed a preliminary com-mercial contract. The agreement on the firstcommercial deal was announced byPresident Barack Obama after his summitmeeting on September 27 with Indian PrimeMinister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the WhiteHouse oval office.“We’ve made enormous progress on the

issue of civilian nuclear power, and in fact,have been able to achieve just in the last fewdays an agreement on the first commercialagreement between a U.S. company and Indiaon civilian nuclear power,” he said.A fact sheet issued by the White House later

said this agreement should facilitate progresstoward licensing the AP-1000 nuclear reactortechnology in India.Noting that Indian government is planning

to develop commercial nuclear power sites inGujarat and Andhra Pradesh using U.S. nucleartechnology, it said both governments alsodecided to complete discussions on theadministrative arrangements at an early date.India plans to buy six of the Westinghouse-manufactured AP 1000 nuclear reactors in adeal worth about $14 billion for its nuclear

power project at Chayya-Mithivirdi in Gujarat,one of the two sites set aside for Americanfirms under the nuclear deal.The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) and the Indian Atomic EnergyRegulatory Board (AERB) also intend to sign amemorandum of understanding for theexchange of technical information in nuclearsafety matters, it was announced.“This arrangement should solidify closecooperation between the regulators,” the factsheet said. Noting that the two countries workclosely on global non-proliferation and armscontrol, it said the U.S. continues to supportIndia’s full membership in the four multilateralexport control regimes — Nuclear SuppliersGroup, Missile Technology Control Regime,Wassenaar Arrangement, and Australia Group,in a phased manner.The U.S. also welcomed India’s March 2013update to its Special Chemicals, Organisms,Materials, Equipment, and Technology(SCOMET) list.The United States and India also collaborate

on nuclear security issues and look forward toworking together in the lead up to the nextNuclear Security Summit to be held in TheHague in March 2014, the White House said.

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UNFCCC and its Kyoto protocol foraccounting and reporting of emissions. President Obama and Prime

Minister Singh emphasized the dan-gers that high oil prices can pose tothe global economy and the need toincrease oil market transparency andemergency response collaboration,through closer coordination andbilateral dialogue. President Obama and Prime

Minister Singh believe that theUnited States and India should lookto each other as partners of firstresort in addressing global chal-lenges. The leaders reflected on the impor-

tant strategic partnerships the UnitedStates and India have formed withAfghanistan, reaffirming their com-

mitment to supporting a smoothsecurity and political transition. Theleaders recognized that violentextremists continue to pose chal-lenges to Afghanistan’s security andstability and, in this context, empha-sized the need for coordinated inter-national support to help build thecapacity of Afghan National Defenseand Security Forces. They noted that both India and the

United States will remain committedto contribute to peace, stability anddevelopment in Afghanistan duringthe critical transformation decade(2015-2024). President Obama and Prime

Minister Singh strongly condemnedthe September 26 terrorist attack inSamba in Jammu and Kashmir. They

reiterated their condemnation of ter-rorism in all its forms, and reaffirmedtheir commitment to eliminating ter-rorist safe havens and infrastructure,and disrupting terrorist networksincluding Al-Qa’ida and the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Leaders called forPakistan to work toward bringing theperpetrators of the November 2008Mumbai attacks to justice. In the spirit of their continuing non-

proliferation cooperation, the leadersreviewed the close cooperation of theUnited States and India to realizeIndia’s intention of joining the multi-lateral export control regimes. ThePresident reaffirmed the United Statessupport for India’s early membershipin these groups. Looking ahead to the2014 Nuclear Security Summit in The

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama hosts a tea for Smt. Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in the Yellow Oval Room of the WhiteHouse, on September 27. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND PRIME MINISTER SINGH BELIEVE THAT THE UNITED STATESAND INDIA SHOULD LOOK TO EACH OTHER AS PARTNERS OF FIRST RESORT INADDRESSING GLOBAL CHALLENGES

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Hague, India and the United Statesalso will deepen their cooperation,including through the 2010Memorandum of Understanding withIndia’s Global Centre for NuclearEnergy Partnership, to strengthenglobal nuclear security. The leaders stressed the need for

diplomacy to resolve outstandingissues relating to Iran’s nuclear pro-gram, and called on Iran to complywith its IAEA and UN SecurityCouncil obligations. The two leaders also deplored the

use of chemical weapons in Syria,stressing that the global norm againstthe use of chemical weapons by any-one and anywhere must be main-tained. Consistent with the U.S. rebalance

to Asia and India’s Look East policy,the leaders expressed a desire to part-ner more closely with other Asia-Pacific countries, including greatercoordination with Japan, China andASEAN, among others, includingthrough the evolving institutionalarchitecture of the region. The lead-ers share a commitment to supportregional multilateral institutions asthey continue to develop into effec-tive bodies built on international rules

and norms that can address sharedchallenges. Noting the contributions of Indian

peacekeepers to global peace and sta-bility for sixty years, the Leadersdecided to expand their UnitedNations peacekeeping cooperation,including capacity-building effortswith third countries. Reaffirming thatin the years ahead, the United Stateslooks forward to a reformed UNSecurity Council with India as a per-manent member, President Obamaand Prime Minister Singh agreed thatboth their nations bear a responsibili-ty to ensure that the Security Councilcontinues to effectively play the rolein maintaining international peaceand security envisioned in the UnitedNations Charter. Building on ongoing consultations

between India and the United Stateson East Asia, Central Asia and WestAsia, and the trilateral dialoguemechanisms with Afghanistan andJapan respectively, the leaders agreedto expand their consultations toinclude a dialogue on the IndianOcean Region, to deepen coordina-tion on cross-cutting issues includingmaritime security and conservationof natural resources.

The leaders resolved to worktogether to end extreme poverty,including through expanding effortsto end preventable child deathsthrough the Child Survival Call toAction. Fifty years after the launch ofIndia’s own agricultural “GreenRevolution,” the leaders applaudedtheir countries’ work together withAfrican partners Kenya, Malawi, andLiberia, to provide capacity buildingand exchange best practices for foodsecurity. Looking forward, President Obama

and Prime Minister Singh recognizedthat increased cooperation in theseareas will strengthen the UnitedStates-India strategic partnership,highlighting shared democratic val-ues and the capabilities the UnitedStates and India have to work togeth-er across Asia and around the globe.The two countries have crossed athreshold in their relations whereboth recognize that successes athome and abroad are furtheradvanced by their cooperation. Today’s meeting demonstrates that

the interests of the United States andIndia continue to converge, and thispartnership will indeed be a definingone for the 21st Century.”

NOTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OFINDIAN PEACEKEEPERS TOGLOBAL PEACE AND STABILITY FOR SIXTYYEARS, THE LEADERSDECIDED TO EXPAND THEIRUNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING COOPERATION,INCLUDING CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS WITHTHIRD COUNTRIES KE

Y HIGHL

IGHT

S

n The leaders reaffirmed their desireto further strengthen defense tradecooperation endorsing a JointDeclaration on DefenseCooperation as a means of enhanc-ing their partnership in defensetechnology transfer, joint research,co-development and co-production.

n Prime Minister Singh and PresidentObama called for expanding securi-ty cooperation between the UnitedStates and India to address 21st

century challenges in the areas ofcounter-terrorism, cyber, space, andglobal health security.

n Highlighting the increase in two-waytrade by fivefold since 2001 to near-ly $100 billion, the leaders agreedthat there are no insurmountableimpediments to bilateral tradeincreasing an additional fivefold.

n The Leaders reaffirmed their com-mitment to concluding a high-stan-dard Bilateral Investment Treatythat will foster openness to invest-ment, transparency, and pre-dictability, and thereby support eco-nomic growth and job creation inboth countries.

n The two countries agreed to consid-er establishing a Joint Committeeon Investment in Manufacturing toensure good business environmentin both countries.

n Prime Minister Singh and PresidentObama endorsed the proposal tolaunch Promoting Energy Accessthrough Clean Energy (PEACE), anAdvance Clean Energy (PACE) initia-tive, to rapidly deploy innovativerenewable energy solutions to thosewho currently lack access to energy.

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CoverSTORY


Describing defense relationshipas a major pillar of India-U.S. strategic partnership the

two countries have agreed to identifyspecific cooperative and collaborativeprojects in advanced defense tech-nologies and systems, within the nextyear. The intent to pursue such col-laboration as part of efforts “to worktoward achieving the full vision ofexpanded defense cooperation setforth in the 2005 New FrameworkAgreement,” was announced after theSeptember 27 summit between PrimeMinister Dr. Manmohan Singh andPresident Barack Obama.“Such opportunities will be pur-

sued by both sides in accordance withtheir national policies and proce-dures, in a manner that would reflectthe full potential of the relationship,”said an India-U.S. Joint Declarationon Defense Cooperation issued afterthe summit. Noting that India-U.S.“defense cooperation and engage-ment has increased significantly overthe past decade, in step with the over-all deepening of India-U.S. rela-tions,” the two leaders endorsed sev-eral general principles for fulfillingthe 2005 vision.Topping the list was the principle

that the U.S. and India “share com-mon security interests and place eachother at the same level as their closestpartners.” “This principle will apply with

respect to defense technology trans-fer, trade, research, co-developmentand co-production for defense arti-cles and services, including the mostadvanced and sophisticated technolo-gy,” the declaration said.Even as the two countries are

committed to protecting each other’ssensitive technology and information,“they will work to improve licensingprocesses, and, where applicable, fol-low expedited license approvalprocesses to facilitate this coopera-tion.” The U.S. “continues to fully sup-

port India’s full membership in thefour international export controlregimes, which would further facili-tate technology sharing,” the declara-tion said. The two sides also agreedto “continue their efforts to strength-en mutual understanding of theirrespective procurement systems andapproval processes, and to addressprocess-related difficulties in defensetrade, technology transfer, and col-laboration.”

A separate fact sheet issued by theWhite House said “both governmentsare committed to reduce impedi-ments, ease commercial transactions,and pursue co-production and co-development opportunities to expandthis relationship.”Since the launch of Commerce

department’s High TechnologyCooperation Group in 2002, U.S.strategic trade exports have increasedsignificantly, exceeding $5.8 billion in2012, it said noting only 0.02 percentof U.S. exports to India require alicense today, compared with 24 per-cent in 1999. India-U.S. defensetrade has reached nearly $9 billionand U.S.-sourced defense articleshave enhanced the capabilities of theIndian armed forces, demonstratedby the use of C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft to support floodrelief operations and Indian peacekeeping operations, the declara-tion said.“U.S. companies look forward to

concluding additional transactions tobring new capabilities to India’s serv-ices in the near future,” it said noting“India is also the first nation todeploy the P8-I Poseidon, a state ofthe art maritime surveillance aircraft.”India and the United States also

discussed joint principles for bilateralcooperation on training peacekeepersand plan to conclude a memorandumof understanding between the U.S.Army Peacekeeping and StabilityOperations Institute and the Centrefor United Nations PeacekeepingIndia.

India, U.S. to identify jointdefense projects

An India-U.S. Joint Declaration on Defense Cooperation issued after the summit meeting between Prime Minister Singh and President Obama

noted that India and the U.S. ‘share common security interests and place each other at the same level as their closest partners’

INDIA-U.S. DEFENSE TRADE HAS REACHED NEARLY $9BILLION AND U.S.-SOURCED DEFENSE ARTICLES HAVEENHANCED THE CAPABILITIES OF THE INDIAN ARMEDFORCES, THE DECLARATION SAID

SIDELINESOn the


16

Committed to investment-friendlyeconomic environment: PM

India has an abiding commitmentto fostering an economic envi-ronment that is open, pre-dictable and transparent, and

which is business and investment-friendly, Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh said U.S. businessleaders in New York on September27. Dispelling “mistaken percep-tions” about India’s growth prospects,macroeconomic stability and the eco-nomic policy environment, the PrimeMinister said India was committed togetting back to a sustainable growthpath of 8-9 percent. “The fundamentals of the Indian

economy remain strong. India’s over-all public-debt to GDP ratio has beenon a declining trend from 73.2 per-cent of GDP in 2006-07 to 66 percent in 2012-13. Similarly, India’s

external debt is only 21.2 percent ofGDP and short-term debt stands at5.2 percent of GDP,” he told thebusiness leaders.Commending the business commu-

nities of both the countries for theirrole in developing the India-U.S.strategic partnership, Prime MinisterSingh reaffirmed India’s commit-ment to protecting intellectual prop-erty rights and he asserted that con-sistent with its WTO obligationsIndia has strong IPR legislation. “Werecognize that investment and inno-vation in a country requires such pro-tection,” he said.He drew attention of the business

leaders to the long-term investmentopportunities that India offers, especially in infrastructure anddefense sectors.

Following is Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh’s opening statement to business leaders:“I welcome you all to this meeting,which you have come to attend atsuch short notice on September 27. In today’s world, a strong two way

economic and business partnership isthe bedrock of a strong bilateral rela-tionship. The business communitiesin both our countries have played avery important role in the develop-ment of the India-U.S. strategic part-nership. Our cooperation is now trulybroad-based. Apart from trade and investment,

we are constructively engaged inenergy security, education andresearch, defense, homeland securityand cyber security. President Obama and I had a very

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting with the U.S. CEOs, on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New Yorkon September 27. Photo: Jay Mandal / On Assignment

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh draws attention of the U.S. business leaders to the long-term investment opportunities that India

offers, especially in the infrastructure and defense sectors

17

On the SIDELINES


Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh interacting with the U.S. CEOs, on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in NewYork on September 27. Photo: Jay Mandal / On Assignment

WE ARE DETERMINED TO RESTORE THE HIGH MOMENTUM OF GROWTH OF THE PASTDECADE AND MAINTAIN MACROECONOMIC STABILITY. WE ALSO KNOW THAT ACHIEVINGTHIS MEANS MORE AND NOT LESS REFORMS — PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH

productive meeting earlier today andI conveyed to him that, despite eco-nomic turbulence all around, ourtrade and investment relationshipremained a high point of Indo-U.S.engagement. I am aware that the business com-

munity in the United States has someconcerns about India’s growthprospects, macroeconomic stabilityand the economic policy environ-ment. Doubts have been expressedabout our sincerity in this regard.This is a mistaken perception. Iwould like to use this meeting to cor-rect it if I can, and also to understandyour points of view. We have an abiding commitment to

fostering an economic environmentthat is open, predictable and trans-parent, and which is business and

investment friendly. We are deter-mined to restore the high momentumof growth of the past decade andmaintain macroeconomic stability.We also know that achieving thismeans more and not less reforms.The process of reforms that began

in 1991 has benefited India both interms of accelerated economicgrowth as well as rapid reduction inpoverty. Virtually all political partiesin India, national and regional, havebeen part of successive governmentsin India after 1991 and have support-ed the process of reforms. This givesus confidence about the future direc-tion of our economic policies. It is a fact that our growth rate has

slowed down. We grew at an averageof about 8 percent for a decade. Lastyear, our growth rate dipped to 5

percent. To some extent, this reflectsthe slowdown in the global economyand in all emerging markets. We are committed to getting India

back to a sustainable growth path of8-9 percent. Indeed, the Indian peo-ple will not tolerate anything less.They have tasted the benefits of rapidinclusive economic growth and theywant more, not less. The fundamentals of the Indian

economy remain strong. India’s overall public-debt to GDP ratio hasbeen on a declining trend from 73.2percent of GDP in 2006-07 to 66percent in 2012-13. Similarly,India’s external debt is only 21.2 per-cent of GDP and short-term debtstands at 5.2 percent of GDP. Our forex reserves stand at over

$270 billion, and are more than suf-

SIDELINESOn the


18

ficient to meet India’s externalfinancing requirements. In order to restore growth, our

Government has implemented aseries of reform measures over thelast year. We have established aspecial mechanism to speed upimplementation of large projects,especially in the infrastructure sec-tors. Several decisions have beentaken to remove impediments in theway of important projects. We have taken steps to make India

more attractive for Foreign DirectInvestment. FDI limits have beenincreased in several sectors, includingretail and telecom, and restrictions inthe banking sector have been eased.The policy regarding FDI in defensehas been clarified to indicate that FDIbeyond 26 percent can also be con-sidered on merits. The results of our efforts will be

visible in the second half of the year.We expect stronger growth in 2013-14 than in 2012-13. The second halfof the year should see a distinct turn-around, partly because of the goodmonsoon and partly because of thesteps we have taken. We will contain the fiscal deficit to

4.8 percent this year. We are alsoconfident of achieving our mediumterm objective of reducing theCurrent Account Deficit to 2.5 per-cent of our GDP. At the same time,we will make every effort to maintaina macro-economic frameworkfriendly to foreign capital inflows toenable orderly financing of theCurrent Account Deficit. A number of tax related concerns

of U.S. companies, with whollyowned subsidiaries in India, havebeen addressed. Some security relat-ed restrictions on electronic imports

were perceived as disguised protec-tionism. We have put these restrictions in

abeyance and will work to find moreacceptable solutions that address ourlegitimate security needs.I also wish to assure you that India

is committed to the protection ofintellectual property. We recognizethat investment and innovation in acountry requires such protection. Wehave strong IPR legislation in India,consistent with our WTO obligations.We are continually trying to strength-en the enforcement mechanisms.There has been one solitary instanceso far of compulsory licensing for ananti-cancer drug and there has beenone instance when the SupremeCourt of India rejected a patentextension claim on a legitimateground.

I would like to use this opportunityalso to urge you to oppose efforts tocreate barriers for Indian IT compa-nies through legislative or adminis-trative measures. These companiesare the most ardent champions ofIndia-U.S. relations. The IT andrelated services sector contributes 8percent of our GDP and 25 percentof our exports. It employs three mil-lion people directly. The inability of IT companies to

operate in the U.S. market would notonly affect our economy, but also theclimate of opinion in India about theeconomic partnership with the U.S. Many U.S. companies that have

adapted to India, offering productsand services that are competitive andinnovative, have done very well. Ihope you recognize the longer termopportunities that lie ahead. For example, we intend to invest

more than a trillion dollars in the nextfive years in the infrastructure sector.The defense sector is another attractivearea, because we will place priority ondomestic procurement and encourageour private sector in this area. I look forward to hearing from you

on how we can further expand oureconomic relations.”

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT LIMITS HAVE BEENINCREASED IN SEVERAL SECTORS, INCLUDING RETAIL ANDTELECOM AND RESTRICTIONS IN THE BANKING SECTORHAVE BEEN EASED — PRIME MINISTER DR. MANMOHAN SINGH

FOCA

L POI

NTS

n The fundamentals of the Indianeconomy remain strong. India’soverall public-debt to GDP ratio hasbeen on a declining trend from 73.2percent of GDP in 2006-07 to 66percent in 2012-13. Similarly,India’s external debt is only 21.2percent of GDP and short-term debtstands at 5.2 percent of GDP.

n India has established a specialmechanism to speed up implemen-tation of large projects, especially inthe infrastructure sectors.

n The policy regarding FDI in defensehas been clarified to indicate thatFDI beyond 26 percent can also beconsidered on merits

n A number of tax related concerns ofU.S. companies, with wholly ownedsubsidiaries in India, have beenaddressed.

n India is committed to the protectionof intellectual property. It recognizethat investment and innovation in acountry requires such protection.The IPR legislation in India is con-sistent with our WTO obligations.

n The process of reforms that beganin 1991 has benefited India both interms of accelerated economicgrowth as well as rapid reduction inpoverty. Virtually all political partiesin India, national and regional,have been part of successive gov-ernments in India after 1991 andhave supported the process ofreform.

n Many U.S. companies that haveadapted to India, offering productsand services that are competitiveand innovative, have done verywell.

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Ambassador’s ENGAGEMENTS


Ambassador Nirupama Rao calls onWashington Governor Jay Inslee

With a view to promotingexchanges between Indiaand Washington andstrengthening India-U.S.

partnership in the process,Ambassador Nirupama Rao visited thestate in the Pacific-Northwest of theUnited States from September 11-13.

On her arrival in Seattle onSeptember 11, the 12th anniversary ofthe 9/11 terror attacks, AmbassadorRao met with Governor J. Inslee in thestate capital of Olympia. She notedthat it was a day of remembrance,marked by solemn prayer. GovernorInslee noted that apart from the U.S.,the attacks had affected the interna-tional community and had changed theworld’s perception of security. Ambassador Rao elucidated on the

strategic cooperation between Indiaand the U.S. in various fields includingcounterterrorism, defense, education,trade & business, technology, energy,including civil nuclear cooperation.

Governor Inslee expressed his admi-ration for India’s democracy and con-veyed his interest in furthering cooper-ation, especially in the high-tech sec-

tors while seeking to increaseWashington’s agriculturalexports including the supply ofapples to India.

Meeting withCongressman JimMcDermott

Ambassador Rao met withRepresentative Jim McDermottof the U.S. Congress on September 13. Rep.McDermott and theAmbassador discussed issues ofbilateral and global importanceincluding immigration reformand the situation in Syria.

Ambassador Rao attended adinner hosted by the Indo-American Friendship Forum, abanquet hosted by Bellevue

Mayor Conrad Lee at the City Halland paid tribute at the statue ofMahatma Gandhi at the Bellevuepublic library.

Ambassador Nirupama Rao with Washington GovernorJay Inslee.

‘India-U.S. partnership has its sights firmly set on future’

Speaking at a welcome gatheringof local leaders and the IndianAmerican community hosted by

the former Mayor of Anaheim HarrySidhu, Ambassador Nirupama Raodescribed the “great resurgence” inIndia-U.S. ties as a partnership in a“state of irreversible excellence” and“with its sights firmly set on thefuture”. Ambassador Rao visited Orange

County in the vicinity of Los Angeles,California on September 14 at the invi-tation of Chairman of the HouseForeign Affairs Committee,Congressman Ed Royce, who repre-sents that district in the United StatesCongress.She commended Chairman Royce’s

personal contribution in this transfor-mation, calling him “one of the great-

est champions and pioneers of theIndia-U.S. Strategic Partnership.” Shespoke of the “natural affinity” betweenthe peoples of the two countries, whoshe said were at the heart of this part-nership spanning from defense coop-eration and counter-terrorism to trade,innovation, technology and education. In his welcome remarks, Chairman

Royce appreciated Ambassador Rao’suntiring efforts to promote India-U.S.cooperation in diverse fields. Hereflected on the role of the IndiaCaucus in the transformation of India-U.S. relations over the last twodecades, which he described as “phe-nomenal” and “based on same inter-ests and values”. He commended therole of the Indian-American communi-ty in building closer India-U.S. part-nership with their talent and determi-nation.The California State Senator Mimi

Walters also joined the event to wel-come Ambassador Rao.The American Women for

International Understanding (AWIU)hosted Ambassador Rao for a discus-sion on recent developments in Indiaand India-U.S. relations.

Ambassador Rao with Congressman Ed Royceand Marie Royce.

EmbassyEVENTS


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Embassy hosts American India Foundation

1 2

3

6

4 5

1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing thegathering at the reception hosted formembers of the American IndianFoundation (AIF) at the EmbassyResidence on September 17.

2. Lata Krishnan, American Indian FoundationBoard Chair, addressing the gathering.

3. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard speakingon the occasion.

4. Sudhakar Shenoy, Founder, Chairman andCEO of IMC, Inc., addressing the gathering.

5. Ravi Kumar, CEO of American IndianFoundation, addressing the gathering.

6. Guests in attendance.

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EVENTSEmbassy


Embassy hosts young Indian Americans

1 2

4

6 7

5

3

1. Ambassador Nirupama Rao welcoming theguests and addressing the gathering at areception hosted for the Young IndianAmericans, at the Embassy Residence onSeptember 19.

2. Ronak Desai, Attorney, DC Area, addressing the gathering.

3. Tanvi Nagpal, Faculty, John HopkinsUniversity, speaking on the occasion.

4. Bindhu Pamarthi, Miss District of Columbia2013, addressing the gathering.

5. Interactive Q&A session.6. Guests in attendance.7. Ambassador Rao with Miss District of

Columbia 2013 Bindhu Pamarthi.

EmbassyEVENTS


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Ambassador Nirupama Rao chairs Consular ‘Adalat’ for Indian community

The Embassy of India organ-ized a Consular “Adalat”, anoutreach to the Indian com-munity on Consular matters,

at the Embassy premises onSeptember 18. Over 75Representatives from various IndianAssociations attended the eventchaired by Ambassador NirupamaRao. In her opening remarks,Ambassador Rao explained the signif-icance of the Consular outreach pro-gram to engage the community onmatters relating to Passport, Visa,OCI/PIO and Miscellaneous services. She outlined various measures

taken to improve the consular serv-ices at the embassy and at the out-sourcing agency locations. She nar-rated her personal visits to the con-sular reception area and discussionswith applicants which led to giving anew look to the consular section.Facilities for emergency visa servicesare extended to cover all holidays. While recognizing current chal-

lenges relating to the new outsourcingagency, Ambassador Rao listed outefforts being made by the embassy tobring in more professionalism in theservices of the agency. Ambassadoralso made a mention of her efforts totake up with concerned Ministries inthe Govt of India to further liberalizerestrictions on extending consularservices to those in asylum category.Suggestions made by the communitymembers on further improving OCIcards have also been sent to con-cerned authorities and are in activeconsideration of the Government,Ambassador Rao added. Community leaders sought clari-

fications on a number of issuesrelating to functioning of the out-sourcing agency, BLS International,processing of renunciation certifi-cate, liberalization of restrictions inservices to Asylees, changes in rulesrelating to OCI cards, etc.

Consular officers clarified many ofthe doubts and explained the reasonsfor various procedures. It was alsoreiterated that there are no changesin OCI rules. The requirement ofchanging the OCI cards after attain-ing the age of 50 years and for thechildren completing 20 years of ageare part of the existing rules and nonew rules have been framed. Ambassador appreciated some of

the suggestions and instructed con-sular officers to make the instruc-tions on the website more clearwhile giving a link to applicants toask further clarifications, if any. BLS Country Representative

Rattan Whigg, who also attended theAdalat, assured that the feed backgiven by the community leaders

would be used to improve their serv-ices. Association leaders from citieslike Philadelphia and Dallas alsoattended besides those from theGreater Washington area. Thosewho could not travel from otherstates sent in questions through theirrepresentatives.

DCM Taranjit Singh Sandhu alsoaddressed the meeting.

Benoy Thomas, the communityleader who coordinated the event,thanked Ambassador Rao for organ-izing the Consular Adalat which pro-vided a platform to the community toair their questions/grievances andget on the spot clarifications. Herequested the Embassy to organizesuch functions more frequently andin various locations.

Ambassador Nirupama Rao addressing the Indian community, at the Embassy on September 18.Also seen are Deputy Chief of Mission Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Minister N.A. Prasad.

Representatives from various Indian Associations at the Embassy.

23

EVENTSConsulate


Consul General explores India-New Hampshirebusiness cooperation

Consul General of India in New York AmbassadorDnyaneshwar Mulay inaugurated an apparel tradeshow organized by the Apparel Export Promotion

Council of India (AEPC) at Penn Plaza Pavilion onSeptember 18.The inauguration was presided by Dr. A. Sakthivel,

Chairman of the AEPC along with its Executive CommitteeMembers and prominent media houses.Thirty exporters exhibited their Spring/Summer 2014 col-

lections of ladies, men and children apparel at the trade showthat remained open till September 19. Over 150-200 buyers,including brand stores, participated in the two-day B-2-Bevent. This buyer-seller meet generated substantial spotbusiness and helped cement long-term partnerships.

Consul General AmbassadorDnyaneshwar Mulay calledon Robin Comstock,President & CEO of Greater

Manchester Chamber of Commerce,the largest business chamber in New

Hampshire, to discuss areas of cooper-ation between the businesses of Indiaand New Hampshire on September 6.Ambassador Mulay was on official visitto the state on September 6-7. On the first day of his visit, the

Consul General also addressed a largegathering at the World Affairs Councilof New Hampshire, Manchester, athink tank affiliated to Southern NewHampshire University. During hisaddress, Ambassador Mulay talked onvarious aspects of India-U.S. relationsincluding political, strategic, defense,economic & commercial, science &technology, education, culture andmany other areas. The Consul General met with the

Indian community in New Hampshireon September 7. Ambassador Mulayinformed the participants about vari-ous activities and initiatives of theConsulate and answered their queries.The function was organized by theIndian Association of New Hampshire,the largest Indian community organi-zation in the State.

Showcasing Indian apparelin New York

Indian classical vocal concert at CGI New York

The Consulate General of India in New York in asso-ciation with Music Department of the ManhattanvilleCollege organized an Indian classical music concert

by renowned vocalist Dr. Sugata Marjit on September 10 atthe Consulate Ballroom. The program also featured screen-ing of the documentary film From River to River by Prof.Alakananda Mukerji of the Manhattanville College.

Consul General Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulayextended his warm greetings and welcome to the guests.Aroon Shivdasani of the Indo-American Arts Council intro-duced Dr. Sugata Marijit, who is not only a well-knownclassical singer but also an eminent economist, and Dr.Alakananda Mukerji, who is Professor at Studio ArtDepartment of the Manhattanville College.

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