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Skriven 2006-03-02 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060302d) for Thu, 2006 Mar 2
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Fact Sheet: United States and India: Strategic Partnership
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 2, 2006

Fact Sheet: United States and India: Strategic Partnership



"We have an ambitious agenda with India. Our agenda is practical. It builds
on a relationship that has never been better. India is a global leader, as
well as a good friend. ... My trip will remind everybody about the
strengthening of an important strategic partnership. We'll work together in
practical ways to promote a hopeful future for citizens in both our
nations."

President George W. Bush, February 22, 2006

CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION: The United States and India have reached an
historic agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. The agreement addresses
India's surging energy needs for its growing economy. This will also ease
the burden on other countries as the world's energy needs continue to rise.
  þ The U.S. and India have agreed to pursue civil nuclear cooperation to
    allow India to cooperate and trade in this key area.
  þ India has agreed to take steps that will bring it into the
    international non-proliferation mainstream, including placing its
    civilian nuclear facilities and programs under IAEA safeguards and
    adhering to the guidelines of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the
    Missile Technology Control Regime.

The U.S.-India strategic partnership is rooted in shared values and is
broad in nature and scope, with our two countries working together on
global issues, including expanding economic freedom and democracy; ensuring
plentiful sources of clean, safe, and reliable energy; protecting security;
supporting innovation and technological advances; and promoting public
health.

ECONOMY: The United States and India are expanding cooperation to enhance
job creation and economic growth; support economic reform and
liberalization; develop a bilateral business climate supportive of trade
and investment; and improve market access for goods and services.
  þ Trade: Over the last five years, U.S. exports to India have more than
    doubled, helping to create better-paying jobs in the United States. The
    United States and India agree that trade is essential to promoting
    global economic growth, development, freedom, and prosperity. Both
    countries are committed to completing the WTO Doha Development Agenda
    before the end of 2006.
  þ Investment: The United States and India welcomed the report of the
    U.S.-India CEO Forum and agreed to work on its recommendations through
    the Economic Dialogue; endorsed the efforts of the U.S.-India Trade
    Policy Forum to reduce barriers to trade and investment; agreed to hold
    a high-level public-private investment summit in 2006; and are
    continuing the dialogue on various issues, including further
    liberalization of investment restrictions, regulatory transparency,
    dispute settlement, and reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to
    trade.
  þ Agriculture: The United States and India have launched the Knowledge
    Initiative on Agriculture to link universities, technical institutions,
    and businesses to support high-priority joint agriculture education,
    research, and capacity-building projects including biotechnology.

DEMOCRACY: Building on their common values and interests, the United States
and India affirmed their joint commitment to promote freedom and democracy
and assist countries in transition. Effective democracies with governments
accountable to the people are the best means of ensuring long-term
stability and prosperity.
  þ The United States and India will work together to support the growth
    and development of vibrant civil societies, including independent media
    and non-governmental organizations, in countries that seek such
    assistance.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: The United States and India are working
together to help meet India's rising demand for energy by looking at new
technologies to produce clean, safe, and reliable energy.
  þ FutureGen: India will join the FutureGen international partnership
    which will work to create a zero-emissions coal-fired power plant,
    enabling greater use of coal in an environmentally sustainable way.
  þ International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER): India has
    joined the United States, Russia, the European Union, Japan, the
    Republic of Korea, and China as an ITER member.
  þ Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate: The United
    States and India, together with Australia, China, Japan, and the
    Republic of Korea, will work on practical ways to improve energy
    security, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in
    ways that foster economic growth.

SECURITY: The United States and India are building the foundation of a
durable defense relationship that will continue to support our common
strategic and security interests.
  þ Maritime Security Cooperation: The United States and India are
    committed to a comprehensive cooperative effort to ensure a secure
    maritime domain.
  þ Counterterrorism: The United States and India are jointly expanding the
    scope of our counterterrorism cooperation, including work on
    bioterrorism and cybersecurity.
  þ Military Logistics Support: The United States and India will soon sign
    an agreement to facilitate mutual logistic support during combined
    training, exercises, and disaster relief operations.
  þ Defense Trade: The United States reaffirmed its goal to help meet
    India's defense needs and to provide the important technologies and
    capabilities that India seeks.
  þ Non-proliferation: Both countries support efforts to limit the spread
    of enrichment and reprocessing technologies and also support the
    conclusion of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.

INNOVATIVE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES: The United States and India are
working together to support the creation of innovative, dynamic,
knowledge-based economies.
  þ Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): The United States is funding IPR
    training programs to strengthen enforcement and patent examination, as
    a vibrant IPR regime is critical to the promotion of a creative,
    technologically advanced economy.
  þ Science: The United States and India established and co-fund the $30
    million Bi-National Science and Technology Commission to generate
    collaborative partnerships in science and technology.
  þ Space: The United States and India have agreed to continue exploring
    further cooperation in civil space, including areas such as space
    exploration, satellite navigation, and earth science. In addition,
    agreements are being completed that will allow for the launch of U.S.
    satellites and satellites containing U.S. components by Indian launch
    vehicles.

PUBLIC HEALTH: The United States and India are cooperating to expand
efforts to combat and prevent Avian Influenza and HIV/AIDS.
  þ Avian Influenza: The United States and India agreed to expand bilateral
    efforts on avian influenza by, among other things, reaching out to the
    private sector, developing regional communications strategies, and
    planning an in-region containment and response exercise. India will
    host the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
    meeting in 2007.
  þ HIV/AIDS: Last July, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh agreed to
    further strengthen cooperation on HIV/AIDS by leveraging resources,
    knowledge, and expertise. Since then:
      þ 

        The United States increased funding in FY2006 for HIV/AIDS
        prevention, care, and treatment programs to $29.3 million.
      þ 

        We have established an Indo-U.S. Corporate Sector Fund for
        HIV/AIDS, which is a partnership among U.S. and Indian businesses
        to fight AIDS. Six companies have already pledged a total of $1.2
        million to the Fund.
      þ 

        The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given approval to 13
        generic antiretroviral drugs produced by Indian pharmaceutical
        companies. These drugs can now be purchased as part of the
        President's Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS for use around the world.

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