New Delhi, India: "United States of America and the Republic of India are working together to achieve two great purposes, to expand the circle of prosperity and development across the world, and to defeat our common enemies by advancing the just and noble cause of human freedom,” US President George Bush told the Indian people during a nationally televised speech in New Delhi. He said that India and the United States were the cofounders and initial contributors to the United Nations’ new Global Democracy Initiative and said the world needs India’s leadership in the spread of freedom. He said freedom is the only long-term solution to terrorism.

The president said the United States welcomes India’s growing economic strength, recognizing that as other nations prosper, it creates more opportunities for everyone and hailed the benefits of open markets and free trade between the United States and India. “When markets are opened and the poor are given a chance to develop their talents and abilities, they can create a better life for their families, they add to the wealth of the world, and they can begin to afford goods and services from other nations. Free and fair trade is good for India, it's good for America, and it is good for the world,” he added. Bush identified economic development and the spread of human freedom as the two key areas of common effort between the United States and India

Bush sought to ease any concerns Indians might have about the debate in the United States over the outsourcing of jobs through trade and globalization. He acknowledged that some Americans have lost jobs due to outsourcing but maintained that this is not a justification for erecting walls against free trade. President Bush said that their government is helping Americans who have lost their jobs get new skills for new careers, and helping to create millions of new jobs in both the countries by embracing the opportunities of a global economy. He said the growth of the Indian economy has created new opportunities for American business and that the United States will not forego these opportunities by retreating into protectionism. For the sake of workers in both our countries, America will trade with confidence,” he added.

Bush called on India to respond to the opportunities of free trade by lifting caps on foreign investment, clarifying its rules and regulations, lowering its tariffs and opening its markets to American goods and services. Bush highlighted several new projects aimed at increasing U.S.-Indian economic cooperation, including a $100 million Agricultural Knowledge Initiative, the establishment of a $30 million science and technology commission, and the new agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation. U.S. and Indian officials have developed several joint economic initiatives since the July 2005 visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Washington.

The president hailed India as a model for freedom and democracy and challenged it to take an active role in supporting the spread of democracy around the world. “As a multiethnic, multireligious democracy, India is showing the world that the best way to ensure fairness and tolerance is to establish the rule of law. The best way to counter resentment is to allow peaceful expression. The best way to honor human dignity is to protect human rights. For every nation divided by race, religion or culture, India offers a hopeful path: If justice is the goal, then democracy is the way.

US president Bush Concluded his speech saying “Free societies do not harbor terrorists or breed resentment. Free societies respect the rights of their citizens and their neighbors. Free societies are peaceful societies.”

Release Source: www.c2b2bnews.com

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