Defining The Future

Sitting with President Barack Obama at the historic State Dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, i watched as our nations' leaders launched a new phase in the enduring global partnership between the United States and India that will shape and define the 21st century. Prime Minister Singh's visit was a watershed in the partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies.We are moving forward from phrases like "natural allies" to "indispensable partners" and "one of the defining relationships in the next century".
This was a time to reflect on the great achievements of our past and to look forward to our bold initiatives to solve global challenges through an expanded partnership that encompasses all the critical challenges in the decades ahead from counterterrorism to climate change, education to women's empowerment, and science to security.
We are committed to working together to protect our citizens from terrorism, to develop trade and economic opportunities for Americans and Indians, to educate our future generations so they can solve the global challenges facing the planet, and to invest in new technologies which will provide us all an environmentally-sustainable and economically bright future. Prime Minister Singh's visit reaffirmed our energetic and optimistic partnership whose ties are local in nature but global in their legacy and impact. I will enumerate five key cornerstone outcomes that frame the relationship moving forward.
First, our partnership is indispensable for global peace and security. Together, the United States and India will work together to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia. Our new Counterterrorism Cooperation Initiative will strengthen our combined efforts already at unprecedented levels in critical areas such as forensic science, information sharing and transportation security. Our leaders are committed to strengthening efforts to build a free and stable Afghanistan. We have committed to expand defence cooperation between our two nations and together, our two great democracies will work for global non-proliferation and to realise our shared vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.
Second, energy security, food security and climate change are interlinked the solutions to these 21st century global threats cannot be sought in isolation and will be pursued collectively in a new US-India Green Partnership. This will ensure greater access to clean and affordable energy for all Indians, while producing economic opportunities for citizens of both countries. We both understand the importance of promoting a successful outcome in Copenhagen in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Third, i am proud to see the strong cooperation between the United States and India in the field of public health. Our nations stand committed to implementing a joint Global Disease Detection Programme to enhance detection of new health threats and better respond to pandemic disease.
Fourth, the dignity, strength, safety and prosperity of our nations depend on the education of our citizens. In visits to schools in New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, i have seen the determination and commitment of students and their families to use education as the key to unlocking a better future. The new Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative will further strengthen linkages between American and Indian universities. We are also substantially expanding the Fulbright-Nehru fellowship programme, a catalyst to the exchange of ideas and innovation that has helped our great countries become what they are today.
Finally, the United States boasts the largest economy in the world, while India has one of the fastest growing. Together, our countries have the potential for greater expansion that will spur the world's economic growth. We are working together to fuel the increase of trade between our countries and developing a Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment that will push technological innovation and collaboration while promoting inclusive growth and job creation.
Democracy, pluralism, tolerance, respect for fundamental freedoms these shared ideals are beacons of freedom, peace and stability to the world. They energise the vibrant linkages between our citizens that make our partnership truly unique in the world. Both our countries begin their constitutions with the words "We the people..." and the people of our nations form one of the closest bonds.
When i met with President Obama in the White House last July, he challenged me to meet as many of the one billion Indians as possible from all walks of life. I have since met with a broad range of national and community leaders, businessmen, farmers, Nobel laureates and schoolchildren. There are many miles to go in this magnificent journey. The bright intellects, smiling faces and courageous hearts have inspired me and will do the same for President Obama when he visits India. I am honoured to embrace the promise of our interlinked aspirations. My time in India assures me that the strategic partnership our great nations share is enduring. There will be difficult moments and occasional disagreements as in any relationship. Most of all, it is a partnership and warm friendship that will deepen, shaping and defining this new global era.
The writer is the US ambassador to India.