India, US pledge to consult each other on global, strategic issues

Washington, June 4 (ANI): India and the United States on Thursday pledged to consult with each other on issues of global and strategic importance.

The pledge was made through a joint statement after the conclusion of the first US-India Strategic Dialogue held at the US State Department here.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna pledged that as strategic partners, India and the United States "would continue to consult each other closely on regional and global developments, and remain sensitive to each other's interests."

The joint statement further confirmed that global institutions of governance should reflect contemporary realities and enhance effectiveness, in order to meet the challenges of the new century.

According to the joint statement, both recognized that their two countries had enormous opportunities to deepen their cooperation in trade and investment, science and technology, infrastructure investment, environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, energy security, education, agriculture, food security, healthcare and empowerment of people.

The two leaders emphasized that the Strategic Dialogue and its detailed architecture is a vital instrument to pursue these goals.

Welcoming the significant progress across all pillars of the India -U.S. Strategic Dialogue since its launch on July 20, 2009, both described the US-India Strategic Dialogue as being "propelled by the dynamic momentum achieved in the U.S.-India relationship over the last decade".

Clinton and Krishna pledged to deepen people-to-people, business-to-business, and government-to-government linkages between the world's oldest and largest democracies, for the mutual benefit of both countries and for the promotion of global peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity.

They said the India - U.S. partnership rests on the firm foundation of common ideals as well as security and economic interests.

The said the guiding principles upon which both nations were founded - democracy, mutual respect, individual liberty, rule of law, and an appreciation for the Strength, make the India-U.S. bond strong, resilient, and uniquely important for building a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable world.

The US side at the dialogue was represented by Secretary Clinton, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, FBI Director Robert Mueller, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, the President's Advisor for Science and Technology Dr. Holdren, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman, and other high ranking officials.

Minister Krishna, Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Shri Prithviraj Chavan and senior officials represented the Indian side. (ANI)