Date:17/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/17/stories/2005071705610800.htm

National

"Looking forward to strengthening strategic ties"

Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said he looked forward to "further developing and strengthening" India's strategic partnership with the United States during his July 18-20 official visit to Washington.

"India attaches the highest importance to further developing and strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States, both in the bilateral context and to strengthen our partnership to meet global challenges. As the world's two largest democracies, we have common values and interests," he said before his departure from here.

Dr. Singh said India hoped to enhance interaction in civilian nuclear energy cooperation while strengthening ties in science and technology. There was no direct reference in his prepared statement to defence cooperation, for which a framework agreement was signed in Washington on June 28.

"In my meeting with [U.S.] President [George W.] Bush, I look forward to a comprehensive review of our bilateral relations. The United States is our largest trading partner. Accelerated cooperation relating to trade, investment and technology collaboration is a primary objective".

Some of the initiatives under consideration were enhancing the content of economic and energy dialogue; and global initiatives in democracy and combating HIV-AIDS and in agricultural education and research.

Dr. Singh stressed that his U.S. visitwas an "important element" of India's effort to establish friendly and productive relations abroad so as to optimise the benefits for the country's development and its security and foreign policy interests.

Will meet Dick Cheney

The Prime Minister would meet Vice-President Dick Cheney and senior members of the Bush Cabinet. "I will be addressing a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Meetings have also been arranged with the Senate leadership as well as the India Caucus in the U.S. Congress."

In his statement, Dr. Singh said he would speak at a luncheon meeting hosted by the National Press Club with leading U.S. and Indian business leaders and a gathering of the Indian-American community.