Expressing Obama Administration's commitment for strengthening of the Indo-US relationship, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the ability to work together is critical for the success of achieving the shared goals in the 21st century.
This is the core tenet of the foreign policy of the Obama Administration, Clinton said in her remarks welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
As the world's largest democracy and the world's oldest democracy, the two countries, she said are poised to collaborate on a number of fronts, from strengthening the security and confronting the threat of violent extremism, to fostering breakthroughs in science and technology, to increasing political, economic, and social opportunities for the world's women.
"India's emergence as a political and economic leader gives us the chance to widen opportunity in places that have been left out of global progress for so long," Clinton said.
"The many ties that connect us, many evidenced here in this room, between families and businesses, universities, cultural institutions, and civil society groups, create so much potential for us to work together to improve the lives of citizens in both our countries," Clinton said.
"President Obama, Vice President Biden, and I are committed to making the most of this promising moment by deepening the areas of cooperation that exist between India and the United States," she added.
She said: "We will work together to help shape a future that really fulfills the dreams of our people. Both Indians and Americans want a better life."
Impressed by Dr Singh's absolute determination to raise the standard of living and provide greater opportunity for the people that he represents, she said: "You cannot talk with him for more than 30 seconds without feeling that passion and that commitment."
Clinton visited India in July, wherein the two countries announced a new strategic dialogue covering a range of issues, including non-proliferation and counterterrorism, education and development, trade, and agriculture, science and technology, clean energy, and climate.
"While I was in India, I had the chance to meet with people from across the spectrum, from university students to agricultural scientists, to women entrepreneurs from rural areas who are transforming their lives," Clinton said.
"I was reminded of the extraordinary diversity and energy of India, not unlike that of the United States, another pluralistic, diverse, occasionally raucous democracy that invites the free expression of ideas, elects leaders peacefully through free and open elections, and continues to move forward into the future with momentum," she added.
"President Obama, Vice President Biden, and I are committed to making the most of this promising moment by deepening the areas of cooperation that exist between India and the United States," she said.
"We will work together to help shape a future that really fulfils the dreams of our people. Both Indians and Americans want a better life. That's why our people are such hard workers and so committed to a better future for their children."
"And the Indian American community represented here today has been an absolute engine of progress and change here in our country." she added.
Image: President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at White House
Photograph: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
