For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 21, 2004
Joint Statement Between the United States of America and India
President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had their
first meeting today. The two leaders noted with satisfaction that
bilateral relations had never been as close as they were at present,
and they set the direction for further development of the India-U.S.
strategic partnership. They welcomed the recent implementation of
Phase 1 of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership to include the
removal of ISRO Headquarters from the Commerce Department's Entity
List, as the beginning of a new era of cooperation and trust. Expanded
defense cooperation was perceived as an integral aspect of the
expanding ties.
The two leaders exchanged thoughts on their shared global concerns
and agreed that making the world a safer place was an overriding
priority. They recognized the importance of working closely together
in the war against terrorism and in combating proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
They agreed that policies encouraging greater integration of the
two economies and with the global economy would offer opportunities to
expand and strengthen their economic partnership. To this end, the two
leaders also expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation on
international economic issues including the WTO's Doha Development
Agenda, and on bilateral efforts such as the U.S.-India Economic
Dialogue and the High Technology Cooperation Group.
President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed that
stronger partnership between India and the United States, two nations
sharing values and traditions, acting in concert in international
institutions, would enhance global security and prosperity.
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