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US looks to strengthen ties with India: Bush

Aziz Haniffa in Washington

President George W Bush has declared that "India and the United States share a proud commitment to democracy", and pledged that "as we move into the 21st century, America looks forward to building upon this bond and strengthening the ties of friendship that unite us with India".

In a message in which he sent "warm greetings" to all those participating in the annual national legislative conference of the Indian-American Friendship Council, Bush also lauded the role played by the Indian-American community in fostering the ties between India and the US.

"We recognise how the Indian-Americans have enhanced our history, traditions, free enterprise system, and the strength of our communities," he said.

Bush commended the IAFC "for working to ensure that the US citizens of Indian origin remain fully involved in the civic and cultural life of our nation".

"Your work promotes equal opportunity for all and helps to create a brighter America," the president added.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in extending his "felicitations and good wishes" to IAFC, said that "relations between India and the US have now entered a new and promising era of partnership and cooperation".

"As natural allies, our two countries are bound by our common commitment to freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law, and share a common responsibility in bringing about a more peaceful and prosperous world," he said.

"Our partnership can be strengthened through more intense economic and commercial exchanges and greater scientific and technological cooperation," Vajpayee said.

The prime minister also went on to praise the Indian-American community, saying it "has played a sterling role in fostering this recent transformation in the relations between our two countries".

"With its growing numbers and influence, the community has a special responsibility to ensure that the momentum of our exchanges is further accelerated, and that our people reap the benefits of the opportunities so generated," he said.

Former prime minister Deve Gowda, who was the guest of honour at the gala IAFC banquet that featured more than a 100 US lawmakers, senior Bush administration officials, several ambassadors and heads of leading think tanks, said, "I am happy to witness the deliberations of this august body that has successfully lobbied the Congress to erase the differences between our two great nations."

The former prime minister congratulated all the US lawmakers present -- both Republican and Democrat -- and said, "Despite political differences, they all want to strengthen relationships with my country."

Deve Gowda also said that he had met the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca earlier and urged her to lift the sanctions imposed against India after the May 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests.

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