PM confident about Indo-US ties; Looks to strengthen momentum - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday said that he had completed a very productive visit to the United States, and based on his discussions with President Barack Obama and other American leaders, he was confident about the future of Indo-US ties and looked forward to strengthening the momentum of these ties. Interacting with the media in the Willard Room of the Willard Intercontinental Hotel here this afternoon, Dr. Singh said that President Obama recognized the important role India-US relations can play in meeting the global challenges of the 21st century. "We agreed that there is a historic opportunity for India and the United States to work together for world peace and stability on the basis of our shared values, consensus and cooperation," Dr. Singh said. He further revealed that both leaders had discussed several ideas on how both countries could work together to accelerate global economic recovery and put it on a more sustainable and balanced path in the future. The Prime Minister also said that India welcomed President Obama's strong commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and balanced outcome at the climate change meeting in Copenhagen. "We have agreed to work together bilaterally and with all other countries to ensure this outcome," he said in his opening statement at the press conference. "We have established a framework for taking our relations forward. The Joint Statement that has been issued reflects our priorities for future collaboration in agriculture, education, health, clean energy and energy security, defence, science and technology," he added. "We agreed on the early and full implementation of our civil nuclear cooperation agreement. This paves the way for transfers of high technology items to India," Dr. Singh said. He described his interaction with American business leaders as very good, adding that the latter had shown a keenness to expand business with India. "I reaffirmed to them the commitment of the government to facilitate foreign investment in India and to pursue key reform measures. President Obama and I met the members of the India-US CEOs Forum and urged them to assist the governments in building a vibrant trade and economic partnership," he said. He also said that President Obama had told him that he was very conscious and aware of the threats both countries face from terrorism, and the need for both countries to work together to combat it. "We have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of counter-terrorism. He (Obama) told me that the United States highly values India's role in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. We had similar views on establishing peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific," he said. "In all these meetings, as well as those with the business community and strategic experts, I found a fund of goodwill for India. There is great warmth, respect and admiration for India, matched by a genuine desire to work with India to strengthen our strategic partnership," he said. Later today, I will be meeting members of the Indian community in America. They have played a magnificent role in bringing our two countries together. We are proud of their achievements and would like to see them prosper and excel further. Their contribution to American society and economy was something which all leaders referred to in my meetings with them," the Prime Minister said. He also confirmed that President Obama had accepted his invitation to visit India, and that New Delhi looked forward to receiving him and his family in India in 2010. He also made a special mention of the friendship shown to India both by Vice-President Dr. Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, adding that India deeply values their personal commitment to India-US ties. "I leave with a sense of confidence that my visit has deepened mutual understanding between India and the United States, and set new directions for our strategic partnership in a way that will advance our national interests," Dr. Singh said.