Kalam calls for Indo-US partnership for global good

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the partnership between India and the United States would become a truly global one when they together addressed the key contemporary challenges like terrorism, energy demand, clean development, natural disasters or health pandemics.

"Our ability to work together, finding solutions and reinforcing capabilties, can benefit others in need. Our relationship has now reached a phase where we need to look beyond what India and the US can do for each other," he said at a banquet hosted by him in honour of visiting US President George W Bush at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"That spirit of cooperation should continue to guide our future collaboration as well," Dr Kalam said.

Pointing out that the knowledge revolution that began in the US had become a powerful force of modernisation in India, he said, "India will be a key player in the global knowledge economy that is coming into being and is a natural partner for the US, with its strong tradition of innovation and creativity." Pointing out that India was on the threshold of a profound change, Dr Kalam said "much of what India is seeking to do has lessons for the whole world because it is being attempted under the most challenging of conditions''.

"As we seek to realise our aspirations, the people of India believe that the United States shares their vision of a better future and will partner them in the endeavour to become a developed nation." "It is indeed important for both of our democratic nations to work towards a mission of a prosperous, happy and safe world," the President said concluding his speech.

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