US and India working to promote democracy: Bush

Washington, May 2 : US President George W Bush has said his country is working with India to promote democracy and peace throughout Asia.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the Asian American Heritage month here, Bush said: "We are working with India to promote democracy and the peace it yields throughout the continent. We are working together to extend the hope of liberty throughout Asia."

Welcoming China's willingness to meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama, Bush said: I think it's important that there be a renewed dialogue and that dialogue must be substantive, so we can address the real way."

Expressing concern about the situation in Myanmar, he said, "The brutal military regime continues to reject the clear will of the Burmese people to live under leaders of their own choosing. So, over the past eight months, my administration has tightened sanctions on the regime. We've imposed visa bans on the junta's generals and their families and their cronies, trying to send a clear message, and we hope the rest of the world follows as well."

"Asian-Pacific Americans make the country's culture more vibrant," Bush said.

Prominent Indian Americans were among the gathering. Each year, May is observed as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, highlighting important aspects of the Asian and Pacific experience in America.

ANI