Washington: Terming the economic partnership
as the bedrock of India-US strategic relationship, Indian
Ambassador to Washington Nirupama Rao has marked nuclear
energy and high technology as some of the new areas where the
two countries can expand their cooperation.
At a rare reception hosted in her honor by the Senate
India Caucus at the Capitol Hill, Rao said the growth of the
knowledge economy has brought forth new areas of cooperation
and the ties have the potential to shape the destiny of the
people of the two countries.
"Economic partnership has emerged as the bedrock of our
strategic relationship, with innovation as its defining basis,
creating jobs and bringing prosperity to our peoples," Rao
said in her address to the members of the Senate and Indian
American community from across the country.
"The growth of the knowledge economy is as an exciting in
terms of being frontline of our engagement today. Newer areas
of cooperation such as nuclear energy, high technology and
clean energy resources are making our partnership mutually
more rewarding, with flow of ideas, knowledge and people in
both directions," Rao said at the event attended by Senate
members like Kay Hagan, Saxby Chambliss, John Cornyn, Mark
Warner, Roger Wicker, John Kerry, Charles Schumer and Michael
Binnet, among others.
Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India
Caucus, which hosted the event. A welcome reception for a new
Ambassador is a rare event at the Capitol Hill.
Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, also
attended the event.
"As India and the United States embark on their Global
Strategic Partnership, the horizon of possibilities of what we
can do together traverses across all aspects of human
endeavor, from the political and strategic to social,
economic, innovation, education and frontier science.
"Our partnership has the potential to shape the destiny of
our peoples, and indeed, of the larger humanity," Rao said.
"It is the relationship that is unique in that it goes way
beyond what only Governments can do. The energy, creativity
and enterprising spirit of our people, private sector and
civil society are building new bridges across hitherto
uncharted waters," said the Indian Ambassador who arrived in
US as New Delhi`s top diplomat some three months ago.
Referring to the recent statement by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, that there were "no irritants whatsoever in
our working together on a multiplicity of areas", Rao said
this defines the canvas of partnership between the two
countries.
Referring to the concerns the two countries have about the
terrorism in the region, the Ambassador said counter-terrorism
is one of the pillars of cooperation between India and the US.
"But there are many more such areas that together
create such a strong foundation for our partnership in these
years and times," Rao said.
With India in the midst of a national endeavor to achieve
socio-economic development for its billion-plus population in
an inclusive and participatory way, Rao said in this task,
India sees the US with its economic and technological prowess,
as an important partner.
She also praised the contribution of the strong Indian
American community.
"I would be remiss without highlighting the contributions
of the 2.7 million strong Indian-Americans, whose vigor and
drive had added new vitality in our relationship," she said.
"You are a bridge between our two countries, as well as a
window to India`s civilization, culture and traditions in
this country. Your support and contribution to this
relationship will always remain a source of strength for our
work," Rao said.
PTI
