Prime Minister’s Speech at the Asia Society, New York on 'India-US relations in theemerging global environment'. Sept 22.
It is a pleasure to be here with Asia Society again. Five years ago, I addressed you onIndia-US relations. India was then facing a difficult international environment; and that included ourrelations with USA. Even then, I described India and USA as natural allies. I would like to return to thattheme today, to reflect on the transformation in India-US relations, and on the global environment in whichthis transformation has taken place.
The end of the Cold War encouraged hopes of a rare era in history, when international relations would nolonger be defined by great power rivalries. There may be differences on issues and disagreements onapproaches, but conflict and confrontation do not overshadow the relations among great and emerging powers.There are debates on whether the international order will be unipolar or multipolar. There are questions aboutthe balance between national interest and international responsibility; about national sovereignty andinternational obligations. These debates are inevitable, since we are still in the process of shaping thecontours of the post-Cold War era.
Another dominant theme of our times is the interdependence of nations, accentuated by technological changesand economic inter-linkages. Globalization has touched every sphere of our activity.
The end of the Cold War had kindled hopes of an enduring era of security and stability. This has not happened.Instead, new political problems and security challenges have been thrust upon us.
Many newly independent countries still suffer from weak political institutions, economic stagnation and adeficit of democracy and modernity. This threatens the security of their people and that of their neighbours.
Globalization has promoted development and prosperity in some countries, but the uneven spread of its benefitshas also created new disparities. The communications revolution has also resulted in the globalization ofcrime and terror, and even of epidemics and diseases.
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Through all these uncertainties, we still have a unique opportunity today to shape globalpolitics and international relations within a framework of plurality and equality, based on consensus,compassion, coexistence and cooperation. This cooperative world has to be development-oriented, to accommodatethe interests of all.
To achieve this goal requires cooperation among democracies of the world to tackle the challenges, which havesurvived the Cold War, and those which have arisen more recently.
Continued terrorist attacks around the world remind us that the global war against terrorism, which commencedafter the tragedy of 9/11, is far from over. Our long-term strategy to combat it should have four broadelements:
One, a concert of democracies acting in cohesion. A threat against one should be seen as a threat against all.
Two, Consistency of approach in demanding from all countries, the same high standards in combating terrorism.
Three, continuity of resolve, and clarity of purpose. We should not be drawn into the grey zone of conflictingpolicy objectives, which condone ambiguous positions on terrorism.
Four, to win the war against terror, we have to win the war of ideas. We have to expand the constituency ofdemocracy by promoting the ideals of freedom, democracy, rule of law and tolerance, which are our definingstrengths.
The post cold war age has also seen a significant proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and theirdelivery systems. Today, the threat of their falling into terrorists’ hands looms large. The existingregimes for non-proliferation rigorously audit the performance of responsible states, but do not touch theproliferators. An honest reappraisal is required.
The structure of international political, security and economic institutions, established nearly sixty yearsago, needs to be reviewed from the perspective of today’s realities and future needs. Our internationaltrade negotiations should place the development agenda at the centre of attention. We should not let statusquo tendencies sabotage the long-term gains of genuine change.
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Iraq and Afghanistan are two immediate test cases of our efforts to build a world orderbased on cooperation and partnership. In both cases, the way we address these challenges will havefar-reaching implications for our common future.
In Iraq, we have to develop an international consensus, which accelerates the political, economic and securitytransformation in that country. In Afghanistan, we need to complete the work commenced by the Bonn process,and help its government to completely wipe out the remnants of Taliban, to establish full control over theentire country and to progress as scheduled towards national elections.
The future of Iraq and Afghanistan is vital for their citizens, but will equally have far-reachingimplications for the region and for the world.
Distinguished Guests,
On many of these global challenges, India and USA share similar perspectives. We see our growing partnershipwith the United States of America as an important element in our efforts for a dynamic and cooperativemultipolar world order. India-USA relations have undergone a major transformation in recent years. Thestrength of this relationship derives from a greater understanding of our basic commonalities. The end of theCold War has enabled us to enhance our engagement, based also on a convergence of many geopoliticalperspectives.
In March 2000, President Clinton and I agreed that India and USA would be partners in peace in the newcentury, and share a common responsibility for ensuring regional and international security.
In November 2001, President Bush and I affirmed our commitment to transforming our bilateral relationship. Weagreed that we should try to give this partnership the inherent strength to survive all future politicalchanges in our democracies.
In India, my government’s commitment to building this relationship enjoys support acrossthe political spectrum. In fact, people often remark that progress is not fast enough! They seek immediate,dramatic results and media-friendly symbols of friendship. I tell them that one lesson I have learnt from fourdecades on the Opposition benches in Parliament is the virtue of patience! The transformation of our tiestakes place after years of doubt and indifference. We have to guide it carefully, with a vision which extendsbeyond our immediate horizon.
The range and frequency of the India-US dialogue has increased considerably in recent times. It covers globaland regional matters, as well as long term and near-term issues. But most significantly, it is the atmosphereof our dialogue that has changed. We now address each other with the confidence and candour of friends. Thisdialogue, based on respect and equality, is successful precisely because we have recognized that there is nofundamental conflict of interest between us. We work together on areas of agreement, and frankly discuss ourdiffering perceptions, without this affecting our relationship. This reflects the growing maturity of ourfriendship.
We have, for the first time, entered into substantive defence cooperation. Our Armed Forces have establishedcontact, and there are regular exercises and exchanges of growing complexity. Our common concerns onterrorism, transnational crime and cyber crime have led us to establish ties in these areas as well.
India and USA are jointly exploring frontier areas of science and technology, including medicine,environment-friendly energy and advanced materials. We are working to re-establish ties in civilian spaceapplications and in civilian nuclear safety. Information technology and the new knowledge economy areincreasingly defining the story of our bilateral relationship. Our growing partnership in developingtechnologies of the future should take our bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level.
It is not only at government and official levels that our two countries are deepening and widening linkages.In educational institutions, scientific laboratories, offices and homes, and even in cyber space, Indians andAmericans are discovering new identities of interest.
The Indian American community has played – and will continue to play – an important role in bringing ustogether. Through talent, hard work and enterprise, Indian Americans have risen to become one of thewealthiest minorities in this country. Their achievements – especially in IT, financial services, managementand medicine – have contributed to America’s progress. They have also created greater awareness in thiscountry of the opportunities in the India-US partnership.
Distinguished Guests,
The Indian economy continues to grow. It has doubled in the last ten years, and we hope to redouble it in lessthan a decade. We are today the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. Ourexternal reserves are about US $ 90 billion and are increasing by a billion dollars every two weeks. Ourforeign trade is growing at double-digit rates. We are rapidly reducing our external debts. Our inflation rateis low and interest rates are on a declining curve. There is a strong increase in business confidence inrecent months. Our reserves of food stock stands at over 30 million tonnes. Starting from scratch a few yearsago, Indian software exports have reached US$ 10 billion per annum.
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I have no doubt that the fundamentals of a rapidly developing India will strengthen ourpartnership with the world’s largest economy. Our economic links will strengthen rapidly as India’seconomic growth creates new opportunities for investment and joint ventures. On both sides, there isrecognition of the strong strategic value of the economic partnership.
Naturally, the vision of a new India-US relationship for the 21st century cannot be realised overnight. Westill need to overcome internal resistance, old habits and traditional perspectives on both sides. Mindsetshave to be changed in some quarters. We have to address vestiges of our past differences on security andproliferation issues. We must also ensure that the long term perspective of the India-US engagement is notdiluted by short term exigencies.
In dealing with these hurdles, our two countries need the wisdom and foresight to recognize the irrefutablelogic of the India-US partnership. We have laid the foundations of such a relationship. Our governments willsustain their commitment to it. Political, economic and strategic convergences will generate their ownmomentum to accelerate the pace of the transformation. An India-US relationship of maturity, substance andstrength can have a major impact on the emerging world order in this century.
