India, U.S. destined for better ties: Bush

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JUNE 21. ``After years of estrangement, India and the United States together surrendered to reality. They recognised an unavoidable fact - they are destined to have a qualitatively different and better relationship than in the past,'' the U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, has said.

Replying to the remarks of the Indian Ambassador, Mr. Lalit Mansingh, after the latter's presentation of his letter of credence, Mr. Bush said several developments had taken place in the world since Mr. Mansingh's last tour of duty in Washington 10 years ago.

``Communist dictatorships collapsed... Democracy took hold and flourished in many countries previously considered to offer it an inhospitable climate. A concept called the internet developed into one of the most powerful tools for communications ever devised. Just as important, thinking people around the world began to recognise that the ideas of social responsibility and market economies could indeed thrive together,'' Mr. Bush said in prepared remarks.

``All of these changes prompted both our countries to change much about the way they did business with the wider world. Opening ourselves to the world, to the influence of new ideas,new cultures,and new ways of working led to another change; it is one of the reasons why we have gathered here today,'' Mr. Bush said.

He pointed to the benefits that came about as a result of this great change - bilateral trade and investment had soared; American and Indian troops working together in peacekeeping missions in such places as Somalia and Haiti and the contribution of the Indian American community. ``They now number over one million and,by some estimates,are the most prosperous single ethnic group in this country,'' Mr. Bush said.

He referred to the fact that since the time he assumed office, senior officials of India and the U.S. had been in frequent contact both to talk about tragedies such as the January 26 earthquake that struck Gujarat, and to exchange views on matters of international importance.

``Several week ago, Prime Minister Vajpayee invited me to visit India. We have yet to settle on a suitable date but let me reiterate what I said then - I am looking forward to the trip,'' Mr. Bush said. He also said India and the U.S. would not be in agreement with everything, but it was critical to talk openly and honestly about the differences. ``As friends, I know that our two nations will not always agree. We will, however, always agree on the importance of talking openly and honestly about our differences and to work together for mutually agreeable solutions.''

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