Nearly 20 months ago, President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Singh met here in Washington to open a new chapter in relations between our two great nations — the world’s oldest and largest democracies. The two leaders emphasized our countries’ shared values — pluralism, tolerance, openness, and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights — and noted how these values are increasingly important for securing global security and sustainability. In their joint statement, Obama and Singh resolved “to harness these shared strengths and to expand the U.S.-India global partnership for the benefit of their countries, for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, and for the betterment of the world.”
President Obama’s trip to India last November produced another watershed moment in our rich ties, and demonstrated that our partnership holds benefits for both of our countries, as well as the world. Our two nations are now cooperating on nearly every important challenge of our times — from counter-terrorism to nonproliferation, from economic growth to reconstruction in Afghanistan, from food security to energy security.