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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