Political India: Engaging America

Labels: Chennai, Hillary Clinton

Labels: Dai Bingguo, Hillary Clinton, U.S.-China bilateral talks, Wang Qishan

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Libyan unrest, Qadhafi regime

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Libya, Libya unrest, Robert Gates

Labels: Hillary Clinton, India visit

From The Hindu

Amidst the massive debris of confidential, secret and unclassified information contained within United States diplomatic cables across the world and exposed by WikiLeaks, notable comments on India have begun to emerge, including the U.S. viewing India as a “self-appointed frontrunner” in the race for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The whistleblower website headed by Australian Julian Assange had, by Monday evening, put out over 240 out of a quarter of a million communications between State Department officials in Washington and in numerous U.S. diplomatic outposts.

In addition to the reported comment on India’s bid for the UNSC seat, the dispatches published thus far also described a conversation between Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, and visiting National Defence University President Lieutenant General Michael Dunn.

In the discussion, classified as secret by United Arab Emirates Ambassador Michele Sison, the Crown Prince, dubbed “MbZ,” was described as hinting about Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s interest in the UAE obtaining Predator drones from the U.S..

These drones are “hunter-killers,” often armed with Hellfire missiles, as opposed to mere reconnaissance drones, and India has expressed concern in the past that any Pakistani access to such drones could inflame tensions on the border.

According to the cable, during the conversation the Ambassador “asked about MbZ’s visit the week before to Lahore to meet with Pakistani President Musharraf. MbZ chuckled and asked why the U.S. government “always” convinced the Pakistanis to delay news of the capture of senior al-Qaeda operatives such as Abu Faraj al Libbi.”

The cable went on to add that the Crown Prince congratulated Washington for its decision to allow U.S. firms to bid for contracts to provide F-16 combat aircraft and other defence technology to Pakistan, adding that even if “the Indians had and would continue to balk at the decision, the region needed Musharraf to stay strong.”

Further the cable quoted the Crown Prince as saying that the F-16 decision would not tip the military balance between India and Pakistan. “Even if it had, India's strength as a stable democracy would ensure that it would not ever be in as risky a situation as its neighbour,” he said.

The cable then said that “MbZ slapped his knee and said “You will never guess what Musharraf asked me...he asked me whether the UAE had received approval for the Predator!”

At this point the cable cautioned, that the U.S. government’s “inability to meet the UAE’s request for an armed Predator remains a sore point for MbZ, although he has not directly raised the issue with us.”

Labels: cablegate, Hillary Clinton, India's UNSC bid, Julian Assange, WikiLeaks cable view

From The Hindu

The United States and India this week reaffirmed and celebrated an important partnership in the field of education — the Nehru-Fulbright Educational Exchange Programme.

At an event hosted by the Indian embassy here, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said via a televised message that she was “delighted to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright scholarship programme with India,” adding that it was a programme that had truly enriched and transformed the lives of students from India who had come to the U.S.

Noting that Fulbright student exchanges had led to lasting relationships developed during the course of the programme, Ms. Clinton said that there were more than 15,000 Fulbright alumni from India, notable among them being External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

Speaking to The Hindu at the event Sashikala Sriram, a Fulbright Scholar and Principal of Bala Vidya Mandir school in Chennai, India, said that the programme had given her a rare opportunity to understand educational practices in the U.S. and she intended to take some of those insights back to her school when she graduated.

In particular Ms. Sriram said that after extensive visits to the U.S. schools across the country she had been impressed by the strong emphasis on reading as opposed to mere lecturing. She added that she was intrigued by the concept of “cooperative learning” and through her interactions with teachers and students here she had developed some ideas in this area that she would use in the Bala Vidya Mandir.

On the occasions the State Department also issued a statement recalling that during his recent trip to India, President Barack Obama had noted that education was one of the key pillars of the U.S.-India partnership and even as far back as 1950, the Fulbright Program “played an essential role in nurturing established ties and building new relationships by providing opportunities for discourse between the people of the U.S. and the people of India.”

More recently, in 2008 the U.S. and India signed an historic agreement making the two countries full partners in the governance and funding of the Fulbright Program, and in November 2009 President Obama and Prime Minister Singh announced a significant expansion of the Fulbright-Nehru scholarships under the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, the State Department statement noted.

Speaking at the event India's Ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, said that from being a U.S. funded programme, this Agreement had been converted into a scholarship programme implemented by the governments of both India and the U.S.as full partners. There had also been an increase in the total scholarship amount awarded annually to $ 4.6 million, a 100 per cent increase from the existing level, she added.

Touching upon the broader impact of the programme the Ambassador said, the Nehru-Fulbright Education Exchange Programme “which nurtured educational cooperation at a time when political ties were not so robust, has contributed to transforming the relationship between our two countries.”

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Nehru-Fulbright Educational Exchange Programme, Secretary of State

From The Hindu

As one of the few men at an event showcasing the power and influence of women in a 21st century, even the Commander-in-Chief of the United States was clearly overawed.

When addressing the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington this week U.S. President Barack Obama fumbled and dropped the Presidential seal behind the podium. However he recovered quickly, quipping, “That’s all right, all of you know who I am. But I’m sure there’s somebody back there that’s really nervous right now.”

The event, organised by Fortune, honoured ten women small-business entrepreneurs who joined 400 of the world’s most influential women leaders in business, philanthropy, government, education and the arts for panel discussions, on-stage interviews and interactive sessions over the course of three days.

The summit brought together an array of the most influential and well-known women leaders across different industries, including notable persons of Indian origin such as Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon, Padmasree Warrior of Cisco Systems, Sonal Shah, Director, Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation at the White House and Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, formerly of Google’s Asia-Pacific and Latin American operations, and currently CEO of fashion and shopping network, Polyvore.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also addressed the attendees, and in touching upon some of the important women’s groups around the world she mentioned in particular, an Indian organisation. Ms. Clinton said, “Last year in Mumbai, I visited a shop owned and operated by women selling crafts and textiles, most of whom come from the very lowest socioeconomic stratum, all of whom are organised through one of the most effective women’s organisations in the world, the Self-Employed Women’s Association.” She added that she had worked with SEWA for many years and witnessed the transformation that banding together has catalysed in individual women’s lives.

Obama lauds Buffet

Mr. Obama also tipped his hat to one of the few other men at the event and, as it happened, a powerful one in his own right — billionaire investment guru, Warren Buffet. To Mr. Buffet, the President said, “I understand that even though he is a man, he has been invited back year after year because he knows that the surest path to success is to surround yourself with brilliant women. He’s a smart guy.”

While Mr. Obama outlined some of the key steps that his administration had taken to support women’s education and their activities in the sphere of entrepreneurship, the Summit itself served as a springboard to community-support activity. This included a scheme to mentor 75 Washington-area public high school students in an innovative speed-dating-style mentoring model.

Labels: Barack Obama, Fortune, Hillary Clinton, Indira Nooyi, women entrepreneurs

From The Hindu

After months of stalling, the Middle East peace process received a shot in the arm this week when the United States announced that it would be hosting talks between the leaders of Palestine and Israel in Washington in September.

In a statement Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “After proximity talks and consultations with both sides, on behalf of the U.S. government, I have invited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Abbas to meet on 02 September in Washington, D.C., to re-launch direct negotiations to resolve all final status issues, which we believe can be completed within one year.”

Prospects for peace ground to a halt in March this year when, even as Vice-President Joe Biden was in the region to facilitate direct talks, Israel’s Interior Ministry announced that permission had been granted for 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem. At the time, a war of words ensued between Israel and the U.S., with Mr. Biden saying, “I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem.”

Optimistic over negotiations

However, expressing optimism regarding next month’s negotiations, Ms. Clinton said that President Barack Obama and she were encouraged by the leadership of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas and shared their commitment to a two-state solution.

Secretary Clinton also emphasised that President Obama had invited President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan to attend the talks in Washington, given their critical role in this effort. She said that Mr. Obama would hold bilateral meetings with the four leaders followed by a dinner with them on 01 September.

Blair to join dinner

Further, Ms. Clinton said, Quartet Representative Tony Blair had also been invited to the dinner in view of his important work in helping Palestinians build the institutions of their future state, “an effort which must continue during the negotiations”.

Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas are then scheduled to join Ms. Clinton at the State Department on 02 September for a trilateral meeting to re-launch direct negotiations. On that effort, Ms. Clinton noted that there had been difficulties in the past and there would be difficulties ahead and, “without a doubt, we will hit more obstacles”.

Yet, she pleaded, “I ask the parties to persevere, to keep moving forward even through difficult times, and to continue working to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.” These negotiations should take place without preconditions and be characterised by good faith, she said.

Labels: Gaza, Hillary Clinton, Isarel-Palestine conflict, Palestine Israel peace talks

From The Hindu

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday extended a message of felicitation to all Indians, celebrating with them the country’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary.

In a statement, Ms. Clinton said, “Each year on August 15th, we join with Indians around the world to honour Mahatma Gandhi and the heroes of the Indian independence movement who proved that great change can be achieved through nonviolent resistance.”

She said the courage and determination of these leaders had inspired generations of leaders around the world, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others who had advanced the U.S.’ own struggle for civil rights and equality.

Commenting on the promise of freedom, tolerance, and prosperity of the “Indian Dream”, Ms. Clinton said 63 years after independence, India as a world leader continued to offer an example for people who yearn for democracy and liberty around the globe.

On the occasion, the Secretary reiterated that the U.S. was committed to further strengthening its cooperation and partnership with India and, as President Obama had noted during the Strategic Dialogue a few months ago, “The relationship between our two countries is unique.”

Ms. Clinton in her congratulatory message said the bilateral relationship was rooted in common interests, shared values and democratic traditions, and strengthened by extensive people-to-people connections.

She added that the administration looked forward to further developing these bonds when President Obama visited India this fall, because it was only through dynamic, global cooperation between India and the U.S. that the defining challenges of the 21st century might be addressed.

She said, “Once again, I congratulate the people of India on all you have achieved and wish you a safe and joyous Independence Day celebration.”

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Independence Day, India, Secretary of State, U.S.

From The Hindu

Feeling the heat of the United States Congress, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stepped up the pressure on Scottish authorities to review the case of convicted Pan Am 103 bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi.

In a written response to letters sent by a group of Senators to the State Department, Ms. Clinton today said, “I and other senior U.S. officials strongly and consistently expressed to Scottish authorities and the then-British government our longstanding position that Mr. Megrahi should serve out the entirety of his sentence in Scotland for his role in the bombing of Pan Am 103.”

Regarding the future course of this case, Ms. Clinton said the U.S. would continue to maintain in its exchanges with Scottish officials its “unshakable conviction” that Mr. Megrahi should not be a free man. She also said, “To that end, we are encouraging the Scottish and British authorities to review again the underlying facts and circumstances leading to the release of Mr. Megrahi and to consider any new information that has come to light since his release.”

Megrahi, oil spill to dominate talks in Washington

It is expected that BP — in the context of both the Megrahi case and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico — will dominate the talks that United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron will hold in Washington this week with President Barack Obama. Reports said Mr. Cameron would be meeting with the Senators who had written to Secretary Clinton.

Mr. Megrahi, charged with the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight to the United States, which crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people, was transferred from jail to his native Tripoli, Libya, in August 2009. He had served a little more than eight years of a 20-year minimum jail sentence, but was released after being diagnosed with terminal cancer and told he had three months to live. Nearly one year on from his release, he is still alive.

In a statement that reflected the State Department’s awareness of the role of oil major BP in lobbying for a Prisoner Transfer Agreement between the United Kingdom and Libya, Ms. Clinton said, “We are aware of media reports suggesting a link between BP’s commercial interests in Libya and Mr. Megrahi’s deeply regrettable release from a Scottish prison on compassionate grounds last year.”

Ms. Clinton also said the new U.K. government had expressed its view that Mr. Megrahi’s release and return to Libya was “wrong” and “a mistake”, and that it was an affront to the victims’ families, the memories of those killed in the Lockerbie bombing, and to all of those who worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served.

In her letter to the Senators, she further underscored that BP’s position favouring a PTA between the U.K. and Libya was a matter of public record. “The then-British government undertook to conclude the PTA in 2007-2008 as part of its broader reengagement with Libya. In 2009, the decision of whether to release Mr. Megrahi from prison fell exclusively to the Scottish government under local law, and specifically, to the Scottish Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill,” Ms. Clinton said in the statement.

Noting that ultimately, while Mr. Megrahi had petitioned for release on compassionate grounds, as permitted under Scottish law, Ms. Clinton said he was in fact released based on the medical prognosis of the Scottish Prison Service and a range of medical specialists.

In a separate press briefing, Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley said that Mr. Hague had however noted in a letter to the Secretary over the weekend that he had found no basis to the suggestion that BP, in any way, influenced the Megrahi decision. “Whatever lobbying that they did was within the context of the prisoner transfer agreement,” he was reported to have said.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Lockerbie bombing, Megrahi case

From The Hindu

She may be the most powerful woman on earth, but like every mother the prospect of her daughter’s upcoming wedding has made her – and her husband – “nervous wrecks.”

In an interview with the NBC Channel, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talked about the wedding of her daughter, Chelsea Clinton (30), to investment banker Mark Mezvinsky on July 31 in the small town of Rhinebeck, 100 miles north of New York City.

The former first lady said of her husband Bill Clinton, “You should assume that if he makes it down the aisle in one piece it's going to be a major accomplishment.” She admitted that they were both “going to be so emotional.”

Ms. Clinton however refused to share any more details about the wedding, saying, “My lips are sealed. I am under very strict orders not to talk about it.”

Ms. Chelsea and Mr. Mezvinsky – also from a political background as the son of former House Representatives Ed Mezvinsky and Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy – met while in Washington attended Stanford University together.

Labels: Bill Clinton, Chelsea wedding, Hillary Clinton

From The Hindu

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined President Obama in strongly condemning Sunday’s bomb attacks in Kampala, Uganda, in which at least 64 people were reported to have died.

Two bombs simultaneously ripped through the Ethiopian Village restaurant and a sports club in the Ugandan capital late Sunday evening, killing innocent spectators who were watching the World Cup final.

In a statement Ms. Clinton said, “We understand that American citizens may have been injured or killed and our embassy is reaching out to assist. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims, in the United States and Uganda.”

According to media reports, the U.S. embassy in Kampala had confirmed that one American was killed in the bombings. Reports also noted that a California-based charity called “Invisible Children” which works against the use of children as soldiers, had identified that victim as one of its staff.

The Secretary said at this tragic moment the U.S. stood with Uganda, adding, “We have a long-standing, close friendship with the people and government of Uganda and will work with them to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.”

According to Reuters, the al-Qaeda-inspired al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia had threatened to attack Uganda for sending peacekeeper troops to the east African country to support its Western and Ethiopian-backed government. Reports also said that an al-Shabaab commander in Mogadishu had welcomed the attack, however adding that “he did not know if they had carried it out”.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Kampala bombing, President Obama, terror strike, Uganda unrest

From The Hindu

At the end of the first round of strategic dialogue between India and the United States here, the two countries significantly expanded the breadth of their collaboration across a range of areas. These include counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, United Nations Security Council reform, trade and investment, science and technology, climate change mitigation, energy and food security, education, agriculture, healthcare and empowerment of women.

In a rare symbolic gesture designed to underscore the importance of the U.S.' relationship with India, President Barack Obama made a brief visit to the State Department during a reception for select officials and the media. He announced that his much anticipated visit to India would come in “early November.”

The dialogue, led by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saw both sides pledging to “continue to consult each other closely on regional and global developments and remain sensitive to each other's interests,” given their role as strategic partners.

Reiterating Under Secretary William Burns' statements at a recent event, Ms. Clinton said after the conclusion of the discussions that the U.S. considered India an important part of any future reform plans for the Security Council, even if there was no consensus yet in the multilateral context.

Both Indian officials and their U.S. counterparts came out with strong comments on the need to tackle terror attacks. In his opening remarks before the plenary session, Mr. Krishna said: “Though the epicentre of this threat lies in India's neighbourhood, it reaches far and wide all across the world as we have seen time and again, and most recently a few weeks back in the Times Square.”

He also noted that given that the groups preaching “the ideology of hatred and violence are increasingly coalescing, sharing resources and operating as one,” it was incumbent upon both countries to focus their efforts “laser-like” on every one of them.

Headley issue

In the course of the strategic dialogue, Mr. Krishna said India was assured of access to David Headley. India's Ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar added that the Indian delegation was in touch with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder regarding the “entire process” after which the assurances were made.

President Obama also emphasised the transnational nature of terror threats. He said tackling these threats would require “making progress for the Afghan people and preventing terrorism, whether it's in Manhattan or in Mumbai.” It would include securing vulnerable nuclear materials, a goal that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had furthered by committing India to building a new centre of excellence for nuclear energy and security.

Mr. Obama again touched upon the high priority his administration accorded to the U.S.-India relationship. Pointing to Dr. Singh's visit last November, he said: “It was a state visit that demonstrated that our relations with India are at the highest of priorities for my administration, and for me personally as President of the United States.” He believed that India was a “leader in Asia and around the world. It's a rising power and a responsible global power.”

Mr. Obama said his administration's new National Security Strategy, released last week, made the importance of India “absolutely clear.” “A fundamental pillar of America's comprehensive engagement with the world involves deepening our cooperation with the 21st century centres of influence — and that includes India,” he said.

Labels: Barack Obama, counter-terrorism, disarmament, Hillary Clinton, non-proliferation, S.M. Krishna, Strategic Dialogue

From The Hindu

India and the United States concluded their Strategic Dialogue here on Thursday evening, issuing a joint statement that indicated a significant increase in the breadth of collaborative initiatives between the two countries.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna led the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, at which they committed to sustain and deepen their cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, trade and investment, science and technology, infrastructure investment, environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, energy security, education, agriculture, food security, healthcare and the empowerment of women.

To a question from The Hindu on whether the Strategic Dialogue represented more continuity or change, Ms. Clinton said it represented both. She argued that while there was “continuity that was evidenced by my husband’s efforts to reach out to India, evidenced by President Bush’s continuing efforts, and … the civilian nuclear deal, [we have] now come to a point where we wish to… broaden the base of that relationship”.

She added, “This is an affair of the heart, not just of the head,” noting that the relationship “between our peoples is rooted in common values, shared aspirations”, even if there were different historical experiences and cultural perspectives. She said that was why the relationship stood the test of time despite the vicissitudes that come between any two great countries.

Regional, global developments

In a joint statement following the conclusion of the Dialogue they pledged that they would continue to consult each other closely on regional and global developments, and “remain sensitive to each other’s interests”.

Reflecting recent statements by U.S. officials that they would consider India an important part of any future reform plans for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the joint statement confirmed that “global institutions of governance should reflect contemporary realities”.

Responding to media questions on the subject, Ms. Clinton said, “We don’t have any way forward yet on Security Council reform, but we are obviously very committed to considering India. At this point… there is no consensus in the world and that is the challenge of dealing with multilateral organisations.”

In terms of regional issues, Ms. Clinton and Mr. Krishna reiterated their shared interest and commitment to a “stable, sovereign, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan”, and Ms. Clinton “welcomed India’s vital contribution to reconstruction, capacity building and development efforts in Afghanistan and its offer to enhance efforts in this direction”.

Mr. Krishna, in particular, was emphatic that given the “historical and civilisational affinity that we have with Afghanistan” India would stay the course in that country “to defeat these terrorist [machinations]”.

Eliminate terrorist safe havens

Both leaders concurred on the gravity of recent terror incidents in the U.S. and India and called for swift and credible steps to eliminate terrorist safe havens. They vowed to strengthen global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism, including by working together at the United Nations toward adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

Noting that India was the country with which the U.S. had the maximum number of joint defence exercises, both leaders also noted the scope for enhancement of defence trade between the two countries to the mutual benefit of both sides. They pledged to continue working together on maritime security, counter-piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and response.

Ms. Clinton also welcomed India’s announcement of establishing a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership with focus on advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and applications of radio isotopes and radiation technologies and appreciated India’s intent to welcome participation by international partner countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the work of the Centre.

The leaders further committed to continue working together to achieve an early start of negotiations on a “multilateral, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty” at the Conference on Disarmament.

“Fragile” economic recovery

Describing the economic recovery as “fragile”, Mr. Krishna and Ms. Clinton noted that it required sustained international support, including G20 countries which should continue maintaining openness in trade policies and promoting innovation and growth. This would be considered again at the next meeting of the G20 in Canada.

Ms. Clinton also noted, “U.S. and Indian cabinet secretaries and ministers will meet on June 22 in Washington with members of the U.S.-India CEO Forum to hear recommendations on specific steps our two governments can take to expand trade and investment.”

Export controls

On the unresolved question of restrictions by the U.S. on high-tech, dual-use items of trade, the leaders “committed to approach the issue of export controls in the spirit of the strategic partnership between the two countries.”

With a strong focus on sustainable development, the joint statement underscored the goal of establishing a Joint Clean Energy Research Centre and accelerating collaborative efforts to deploy clean energy technologies in both countries.

Other areas of cooperation that saw agreements being put in place include agricultural cooperation and food security, university education partnerships, and establishing a Regional Global Disease Detection Centre in India.

In conclusion, the two sides noted they would hold the next meeting of the Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi in the first half of 2011.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, India-U.S. strategic dialogue, joint statement, S.M. Krishna

From The Hindu

At the start of the United States-India Strategic Dialogue on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna pressed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with a request to provide Indian authorities with access to David Coleman Headley, accused in the Mumbai attacks and currently in the custody of the United States. He also pushed for relaxation of export control restrictions by the U.S. on high-tech goods sought by India.

In a clear indication of India's frustration with the lack of progress in the Headley case over two months after Headley struck a bargain with the U.S. Department of Justice, Mr. Krishna said, "access for our authorities to persons who have been apprehended by your Government in connection with [the] Mumbai terror attack is the logical next step."

Mr. Krishna added, "We are confident that our continued cooperation will lead to [the] realisation of this objective." He however noted that India valued the support it had received from the U.S. government in its investigations.

He also touched upon another area where India is awaiting a favourable U.S. policy response -- export control restrictions on high-tech goods, particularly dual-use items.

In this regard Mr. Krishna said in his opening remarks, "Given the strategic nature of our partnership and particularly the conclusion of the Civil Nuclear Initiative, these controls are not only anomalous but also a hindrance to furthering trade and investment in this particularly significant sector of our economies."

He added that India looked forward to "early steps in this direction".

On dispelling doubts

In her statements, Secretary Clinton sought to dispel 'doubts that remain on both sides'. Ms. Clinton said there were still "doubts among some Indians that the U.S. only, or mainly, sees India in the context of Afghanistan or Pakistan, or that we will hasten our departure from Afghanistan leaving India to deal with the aftermath".

She noted that equally, there were also "doubts in America that India has not fully embraced its role in regional or global affairs or will not make the economic reform needed to foster additional progress".

However, she argued that with this Dialogue and the level of confidence that India and the U.S. have established between themselves, they would "confront these challenges directly and candidly".

Click here for video of joint press conference by Hillary Clinton and S.M. Krishna. Source: U.S. State Department.

Labels: David Coleman Headley, high-technology exports, Hillary Clinton, India-U.S. ties, non-proliferation agenda, nuclear security, S.M. Krishna, Strategic Dialogue, UNSC

From The Hindu

“The Government [of India] is committed to put in place a nuclear liability regime… [and] we look forward to U.S. companies investing in India,” said External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

Speaking before the start of the United States-India Strategic Dialogue at an event hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council, Mr. Krishna said many companies in the U.S. were in dialogue with Indian companies already, adding, "We would like it to be as robust a partnership as we have both envisioned."

Highlighting some of the key areas of discussion over the coming days, Mr. Krishna said, they would include a wide range of subjects, "from countering terrorism and extremism, advancing nuclear security, working to secure the global commons, seeking to build a developed and cooperative Asia, and succeeding in Afghanistan to dialogues for co-operation in science and technology, research for clean energy and monsoon prediction, health and education, and a dialogue on women’s empowerment".

Mr. Krishna noted that the Dialogue would also be an important occasion for India and the U.S. to reflect on the remarkable journey that the two democracies had embarked upon, and to set their sights on new milestones.

High-technology exports

He also touched upon the question of restrictions on high-technology exports to India from the U.S., an issue that industry associations such as the High Technology Cooperation Group have been emphasising over the last few months.

Making a strong pitch for fewer restrictions Mr. Krishna said, “Indian importers have a 100 per cent compliance record when it comes to safeguarding imported technology — we have been implementing the End-Use Verification Agreement with U.S. partners for years now — and have, last year, agreed to a Technical Safeguards Agreement in space co-operation.”

He noted that India also had the End Use Monitoring arrangement for defence acquisitions and had “given a number of written assurances that U.S. technology will enjoy the level of security stipulated by the relevant U.S. laws and not be diverted in contravention of U.S. regulations.”

He said given these assurances and the trust fostered through strategic dialogue, the two countries “should be able to create an environment for a robust two way trade in advanced technology products.”

Mr. Krishna will meet with his counterpart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other U.S. officials on Thursday as part of the formal Strategic Dialogue discussions. President Barack Obama will also meet with the Indian delegation at the State Department during what is expected to be a star-studded reception for attending dignitaries and select media.

Labels: high-technology exports, Hillary Clinton, India-U.S. ties, non-proliferation agenda, nuclear security, S.M. Krishna, Strategic Dialogue, UNSC

From The Hindu

“The United States supports the Security Council’s condemnation of the acts leading to this tragedy,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, striking a note of support for the victims of an attack by Israel on an aid-laden flotilla of ships bound for Gaza.

After nearly two days of relative caution in its response, the United States came out strongly against the commando-led attack on the flotilla on Monday, which resulted in the deaths of nine activists on board.

Earlier, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs, Philip Crowley, said in a statement that the U.S. was “working to ascertain the facts, and [expects] that the Israeli government will conduct a full and credible investigation.”

However, Ms. Clinton said, “We urge Israel to permit full consular access to the individuals involved and to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately.”

On Wednesday it was reported that Israel had deported to Jordan more than 120 foreign activists that it had detained and that another 506 people, most of them from Turkey, would be deported soon.

Ms. Clinton further said the U.S. supported “in the strongest terms” the Security Council’s call for a prompt, impartial, credible, and transparent investigation and any Israeli investigation that met those criteria.

She added the U.S. would however “continue to discuss these ideas with the Israelis and our international partners in the days ahead”; yet she pointed out that the situation from the United States’ perspective was “very difficult and requires careful, thoughtful responses from all concerned”.

Conditions in Gaza

On the broader question of the conditions in Gaza Ms. Clinton echoed earlier statements by the State Department that the situation there was “unsustainable and unacceptable”, noting that both Israel’s legitimate security needs as well the Palestinians’ legitimate needs for sustained humanitarian assistance and regular access for reconstruction materials must be assured.

The Secretary of State also reiterated the fundamental U.S. position on the Israel-Palestine issue, arguing, “Ultimately, the solution to this conflict must be found through an agreement based on a two-state solution negotiated between the parties.” The flotilla incident underscored the urgency of reaching that goal and the U.S. remained committed to working with both sides to move negotiations forward, she said.

Labels: Gaza aid ships, Hillary Clinton, Israeli flotilla attack, U.N. condemnation

From The Hindu

Responding to the announcement of “far-reaching trade restrictions” by South Korea against North Korea the White House on Monday said President Obama “fully supports President Lee in his handling of the ROKS Cheonan incident and the objective investigation that followed.”

South Korea’s announcement of trade restrictions — as well as a warning that it was prepared to use military force in case of further provocations came days after South Korea claimed that its neighbour to the north torpedoed and sank a South Korean vessel, killing 46 sailors.

In a statement Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the measures the government of South Korea announced were called for and entirely appropriate.

A White House official confirmed to The Hindu that U.S. support to South Korea included the trade restrictions announcement.

Emphasising that South Korea could count on the full support of the U.S., Mr. Gibbs noted, “Specifically, we endorse President Lee’s demand that North Korea immediately apologise and punish those responsible for the attack, and, most importantly, stop its belligerent and threatening behaviour.”

Mr. Gibbs also explained that given the U.S.’ “unequivocal” support in South Korea’s defence President Obama had directed his military commanders to coordinate closely with their South Korean counterparts to “ensure readiness and to deter future aggression.”

The White House also said the administration supported South Korean President Lee’s intention to bring the issue to the United Nations Security Council. In that context Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice were separately consulting “very closely” with their Korean counterparts, with Japan, China, and other United Nations Security Council (UNSC) member states, the White House noted.

In response to the pattern of North Korean provocation and defiance of international law, Mr. Obama has directed the U.S. government agencies to review their existing authorities and policies related to North Korea, Mr. Gibbs added.

Ms. Clinton, currently in Beijing, will travel to Seoul for discussions with President Lee and his senior advisors on May 26 before reporting back to Mr. Obama on her consultations in the region.

Also Defence Secretary Robert Gates was said to be in “close contact” with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Tae-young and will meet with him and other counterparts.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, President Lee, President Obama, ROKS Cheonan, South Korea, torpedo incident

From The Hindu

The United States has reached a new agreement with the P-5+1 group of major developed countries on a “strong draft” of a resolution for sanctions against Iran, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said today.

Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Ms. Clinton made a reference to U.S. scepticism on Iran’s acceptance of a proposal to give up some of its low-enriched uranium in exchange for 20 percent enriched uranium from Turkey: “This announcement is as convincing an answer to the efforts undertaken in Tehran over the last few days as any we could provide.”

As per the proposals agreed by Tehran in exchange for moving low-enriched uranium off its soil Iran would receive 20 percent enriched uranium for use by the Tehran Research Reactor for medical isotopes.

However the Secretary went on to argue that that there were a number of unanswered questions regarding the announcement coming from Tehran, despite the sincere efforts of both Turkey and Brazil to find a solution regarding Iran’s standoff with the international community over its nuclear program.

Ms. Clinton also outlined the next steps that the U.S. would take in this matter. She said that the P-5+1, which consists of Russia, China, the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany, along with the High Representative of the European Union, would proceed to “rally the international community on behalf of a strong sanctions resolution” that would send an unmistakable message about what is expected from Iran.

China and Russia had previously resisted the U.S.’s push for United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran, and it was anticipated that fuel-swap deal might further crystallise that resistance.

Labels: Hillary Clinton, Iran sanctions, nuclear power, P-5+1