Washington: Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh`s visit to US in November, the first state visit of the
Obama administration, reflects the personal commitment of
President Barack Obama towards Indo-US relationship, Indian
Ambasaador Meera Shankar said Tuesday.
"On November 24th Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would
be the first State Guest of President Obama, which we see as a
sign of the President`s personal commitment to the
relationship," Shankar said.
Delivering a speech on "US-India Relations: The Next
Phase" at think-tank Atlantic Council, Shankar said the next
phase of relationship would be marked by continuity and would
be a period of consolidation an expansion.
"We have set a process of vigorous engagement
immediately after the elections of India were completed," she
said referring to the series of high-level visits between the
two countries including that of the Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton and Home Minister P Chidambaram.
Noting that the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement is
strong both on symbolism and on substance, Shankar said the
pact not only removed a major problem that showed and
constrained bilateral relations for three decades, but has
created a basis for closer relations, deeper economic ties
and a more productive partnership on energy security,
lessening reliance on fossil fuel and combating proliferation.
Observing that India and the US have been described as
natural strategic partners, Shankar said whatever way is being
chosen to describe the relationship between the world`s two
largest democracies there is no denying that there is enormous
comfort and goodwill in relationship.
"Our partnership with the US is not directed against
or influenced by any other country and it does not affect our
relationship with any other country," Shankar asserted.
Responding to a question, Shankar said there is a
shared interest between India and the United States to see
that those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attacks are
brought to justice. Pakistan is yet to bring those responsible
for the Mumbai attacks to trial, she noted.
"Besides, we would like vigorous investigation of
people who might have been responsible for the terrorist
attacks and who at present have not been apprehended including
several key leaders," Shankar said.
The Indian Ambassador said there has been very good
cooperation with the US in the wake of Mumbai attack.
"US agencies assisted us in the investigations of
the attacks and in unravelling some of the data, the FBI also
testified in the trial, which is currently under way for the
terrorist which has been apprehended in India," she said.
India hopes that Pakistan would take more effective
action to trial and bring to book all those involved in these
attacks, she said.
Bureau Report
