Hillary Clinton's India Visit

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Clinton seeks 'most wide-ranging talks ever' with India

July 16, 2009

When United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton [ Images ] visits India later this week, her engagement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] as well as her counterpart S M Krishna will touch upon issues beyond the realm of traditional foreign policy matters.

Clinton on Wednesday said that that the two countries will be engaging in a very broad and comprehensive dialogue, "the most wide-ranging that has ever been put on the table between India and the United States."

This will include, by her own admission, issues related to climate change and clean energy.

Responding to a question from Teresita Schaffer, former US ambassador to Sri Lanka [ Images ], after delivering a comprehensive lecture at the Council on Foreign Relations on American Foreign Policy under the Barck Obama administration, Clinton said the discussions would include a wide range of topics like foreign policy, strategic challenges, health, education, agriculture and economy.

"I do not want to prejudge, but it is clear that everything is on the table to discuss. We believe that India has a tremendous opportunity and a growing responsibility, which they acknowledge, to play not just a regional role but a global one as well," Clinton said.

She indicated that discussing nuclear non-proliferation with her Indian counterpart was on her agenda. "Obviously, a number of areas where we would welcome Indian leadership and involvement are difficult ones. There is nothing easy about non-proliferation," she said.

"Anybody who ever read Strobe Talbot's book Engaging India knows that it is a very difficult issue, but we want to look at new ways for global and regional regimes on weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear. We are very interested in the role that India sees for itself in the immediate area," Clinton said.

She noted that US President Barack Obama [ Images ] is committed to the vision of a world without nuclear weapons and has planned a series of concrete steps to reduce the threat and spread of these weapons, including working with the Senate to ratify the follow-on START agreement and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, taking on greater responsibility within the Non Proliferation Treaty Framework and convening the world's leaders in Washington next year for a nuclear summit.

"Now we must urge others to take practical steps to advance our shared nonproliferation agenda," Clinton said in her address.

The Secretary of State also indicated that she would like to find out from her counterpart about the military implications, particularly naval ones, of decisions that India is making with regard to Sri Lanka. She would also try to learn about the economic actions that India, which weathered the beginning of the global recession better than many nations, is taking and what the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance [ Images ] government is going to do to keep generating growth and lifting people out of poverty.

During her three-day visit to India beginning Saturday, Clinton, who will be accompanied by Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern among others, will also visit the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building in India to talk about climate change and clean energy.

"We know that India and China have understandable questions about what role they should be expected to play in any kind of new global climate change regime. It is our hope that we can, through dialogue, come up with some win-win approaches. And this LEED-certified building is a perfect example of what India would be capable of doing," she said.

Clinton would also visit an agricultural facility during her visit. She said while India is really hoping to continue to expand agricultural productivity, it has to create suitable infrastructure to provide the right market.

"We have to have farm-to-market roads. You have to have storage and refrigeration facilities. So I think that this is an extremely rich area. I've just touched the surface of it. So I'm excited. I'm very much looking forward to my meetings with Prime Minister (Dr Manmohan Singh) and certainly with (External Affairs) Minister S M Krishna and others in India, and we're going to do everything we can to broaden and deepen our engagement," she said.

At a special briefing on Clinton's India visit at the State Department, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O Blake said that the purpose of the trip is to broaden and strengthen the strategic partnership between the US and India, and also to highlight the extensive cooperation that is already taking place between the non-governmental people on both sides like scientists, academics and students.

"Those really underpin our relations and kind of propel them forward. So we really want to highlight those during the trip," Blake said.

He said President Obama and Secretary Clinton both see India as a really important partner, not only to address bilateral issues, but also as a nation that can work with the US to 'shape the world of the 21st century'.

"So in terms of what we're trying to accomplish, the Secretary and her counterpart, Foreign Minister Krishna, will announce on Monday the elements of our new partnership," he said.

"Broadly speaking, what we're going to do is continue the successful cooperation we've had on issues like defence, counterterrorism, trade, while also forging new initiatives on things like agriculture, education, science and technology, and women's empowerment," Blake said.

In response to a question, if an agreement on end use monitoring is expected during the trip agreement and whether India may announce sites for the US designated nuclear power plants, Blake said that US is hopeful about the EUM pact.

"We hope to be able to sign that, and obviously, that will take place on Monday of next week. On the question of the two nuclear sites, again, we hope that we'll be in a position to be able to announce publicly those two sites where US companies can have exclusive right to locate reactors and sell reactors to the Indians," he said.

"We think that that's a major opportunity for American companies. It opens up as much as $10 billion worth of new exports to India. So again, we hope to be in a position for both sides to announce it," Blake said.

Hillary seeks 'most wide-ranging talks' with India: Rediff.com news
 

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Ahead of Clinton visit, new US envoy lands in Delhi Thursday

July 16th, 2009

New Delhi, July 16 (IANS) The new US ambassador to India, Timothy John “Tim” Roemer arrives here Thursday night, a day before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins her five-day India visit.
“He is coming here primarily for the Clinton visit. He will take charge later in the month,” a US embassy source said.

Roemer’s appointment has been confirmed by the US Senate.

An expert on non-proliferation and weapons of mass destruction, Roemer, the former Democrat Congressman from Indiana and a former member of the 9/11 Commission, is said to be close to President Barack Obama.

Roemer, 52, is known for his moderate, bipartisan politics, and national security experience. He will succeed David Mulford, who played a key role in pushing the India-US nuclear deal during the second term of the George W. Bush presidency.

Roemer now serves on the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. He represented Indiana’s Third District from 1991 to 2003, and was among those who had endorsed Obama in his early electoral campaign phase.

Roemer also serves on the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Presidential Task Force on Combating the Ideology of Radical Extremism, and the National Parks Second Century Commission. His name was earlier doing the rounds for the post of CIA director, which eventually went to Leon Panetta.

Roemer’s appointment as the ambassador to India reflects the Obama administration’s determination to build strategic partnership with this important South Asian country, said the Moderate Voice, a US magazine. “It may also mark the turning point in the Indo-US relationship.”

Ahead of Clinton visit, new US envoy lands in Delhi Thursday
 

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No pressure was put on India: Hillary

Hillary Clinton
New Delhi: The United States did not pressure India to return to the negotiating table with Pakistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday.

In an interview to CNN IBN, Ms. Clinton said she was “very impressed” with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani in Egypt.

“I am impressed with Prime Minister Singh meeting both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani. This dialogue between India and Pakistan is certainly one that could only be pursued with the agreement and commitment of the two countries and the leaders. Of course, the United States is very supportive of the steps that India might take towards any agreement with Pakistan,” she said.

Ms. Clinton said, “in fact, I think in the last few days there has been discussions between Mr. Gilani and Dr. Singh about the commitment of the Pakistan government to pursuing the Mumbai terrorists and their associated organisations who provide the training and the employment of terrorists.....”

She also reiterated the Obama administration’s commitment to the India-U.S. civil nuclear agreement, but said she would like to discuss with Indian leaders the ways to prevent the “proliferation of nuclear material and weapons to state and non-state actors that pose a threat to India, to the U.S. and to the many countries around the world.”

“The U.S. is, as are other G-8 members, very concerned about weapons proliferation. I want to hear from the Indian leaders what they believe would be the useful step that we could mutually pursue that would avoid the concern that I think we share about such material falling into the wrong hands,” she said. — PTI
 

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Visit of Hilary Clinton to India

By B. Raman

The following is the reply sent by me to an E-mail question from a journalist asking for my reaction to the forthcoming visit of Mrs. Hilary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, to New Delhi for talks with the Indian leaders:

It will be essentially an "ego-massaging" visit. India's inflated ego was hurt when she went to China first in February and spoke in very positive terms about China. She has already embarked on an exercise to introduce correctives.

2. Whatever she might say to please India, the reality is that Pakistan and China are more important to the US at present than India. Pakistan is important for preventing another 9/11 in US homeland and for preventing a catastrophic act of terrorism involving the use of weapons of mass destruction material and China for its economic recovery.

3. Comparatively, India's utility to the US is limited. At the same time, the US cannot ignore India because of its size, its democracy, its economic potential in another 10 years if not now and the vigorous Indian-origin community in the US which is politically more active than the Chinese-origin community.

4. We can expect from her positive statements and gestures, but one cannot say definitely how sincerely-meant they would be. Indians have a weakness for flattery and tend to indulge in wishful-thinking.

5. We have no culture of strategic-thinking and laser-sharp analysis based on cruel facts and figures. But we have a long-ingrained culture of wishful-thinking. All Hillary Clinton has to do is to make a few statements describing India as a great power, praising Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting the impact of Gandhiji on Martin Luther King and Barack Obama, India's IT genius etc, Indians will be quite happy for some months till the next disappointment comes.

6. Americans understand India better than they understand Pakistan and its jihadi hordes. Pakistanis understand the US better than Indians.

7. Hype and flattery will be the defining characteristics of her visit. Indian ego will remain tickled for some months.

8. Ultimately, our people will continue to die at the hands of jihadi terrorists. Pakistan will continue to use terrorism against India to change the status quo in Jammu & Kashmir. Americans will continue to link terrorism with Kashmir.
 

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In India, Clinton Attends Memorial to Honor Those Slain in Mumbai Attacks


On a week-long foreign trip in South Asia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participated in a Saturday memorial service in Mumbai to honor the 170 lives lost in last November's attacks in the bustling Indian metropolis.

Clinton did not mince words on the subject of terrorism on her way to India, her trip to the region coinciding with the coordinated bomb blasts that rocked two Jakarta luxury hotels Friday morning.

Clinton condemned the "senseless acts of violence and stand ready to provide assistance if the Indonesian government requests us to do so" in a statement issued from Prague during a refueling stop on her way to India.
The Mumbai attacks remain a very sensitive issue in India. Last year's siege on the Taj Mahal hotel and other sites in the city left more than 170 dead and hundreds more wounded. Earlier this week the Indian government said peace talks with archrival Pakistan would be put on hold until Islamabad helps bring those behind last year's attacks to justice.

Still, evidenced by the destruction of the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta, hotels remain soft targets.

The "Heritage" wing of the Taj hotel, frequented by dignitaries and Clinton herself on this trip, was damaged during the attacks and is still being rebuilt. Clinton's floor in the Taj's "Tower" wing had been cordoned off in anticipation of her arrival. Indian media reports that the Taj stepped up security ahead of Clinton's stay. Guests were subjected to background checks, and a heavy security presence in and around the hotel.

Clinton's trip to India and Thailand follows a major policy speech she gave Wednesday in Washington where she outlined the nation's foreign policy agenda, charging among her goals "to isolate and defeat terrorists and counter violent extremists while reaching out to Muslims around the world."

Her speech also included strong words about the Iranian government, outlining her strategy for the future.

"The choice is clear," Clinton said Wednesday. "We remain ready to engage with Iran, but the time for action is now. The opportunity will not remain open indefinitely."

Forceful words from a woman who, by some accounts, needs to force her way back on to the national stage.
 
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bunch of liars and hypocrites.



this is the look MMS got to pressure him to talk to pakistan.
 

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/181046_Indo-US-eco-ties-to-hinge-on-five-pillars--says-Clinton


US Secretry of State Hillary Clinton talks to
reporters in Mumbai on Saturday. PTI Photo


Indo-US eco ties to hinge on five pillars, says Clinton


STAFF WRITER 17:2 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI) India and the United States plan to take their strategic and economic cooperation to a new high by launching an important dialogue on what is called 'five pillars" during the five-day visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"We see the dialogue that we are embarking upon as extremely important and is based on the five pillars which are areas of strategic importance, agriculture, healthcare, science and technology and education," Clinton told reporters Saturday after meeting top Indian businessmen, including Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani.

The subjects of discussion ranged from climate change, promotion of green energy and initiatives to strengthening of bilateral trade ties.

To a question if export of petro-products by Reliance to Iran figured on the agenda, Clinton said the issue was not discussed. "That is something we will look at later.
 

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/181109_Hillary-cautions-India-from-treading-high-carbon-path

Hillary cautions India from treading high-carbon path

STAFF WRITER 17:31 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI) While supporting India's efforts to eradicate poverty, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today cautioned New Delhi from treading the high-carbon path and repeating mistakes committed by Americans in contributing to global pollution.

"We acknowledge now with President Obama that we have made mistakes in the US and we, along with other developed countries have contributed most significantly to the problem that we face with climate change...," she said at a press conference here.

But "we are hoping a great country like India will not make the same mistake," she said.

Clinton, who is on a five-day visit to India, was echoing the sentiments of the US President who in Italy early this year had stated that the US had "sometimes fallen short" of its responsibilities in controlling carbon emissions.
 

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Clinton meets SEWA women artisans in Mumbai

IANS 18 July 2009, 05:36pm IST
MUMBAI: "Impressed" as she is with Indian women, visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday renewed her association with the artisans of the Self Employed Women Association (SEWA), a group she first came into contact with 14 years ago when she was America's first lady.

Clinton was extended a traditional Gujarati welcome when she arrived at SEWA's Hansiba outlet at Napean Sea Road in south Mumbai, where she spent a little over an hour.

"I am very happy to be here in your midst and meeting you all," she said after closely examining the textiles and handicrafts displayed by the artisans.

"This is very nice. Thank you very much," Clinton said after the artisans gifted her a handmade multicoloured quilt.

Clinton interacted with around a dozen SEWA volunteers, attired in their traditional finery from the remotest parts of Gujarat.

She was updated on the progress achieved by the Global Women's Trade Finance Council founded in 2007 in New York to take the work of grassroots artisans to the global level and link them to the world markets and to improve the situation of women in underdeveloped and developing countries. She and SEWA founder Ela Bhatt co-chair the council.

Clinton's association with SEWA dates back to 1995 when she met Bhatt and Reema Nanavaty of SEWA. Since then, she has made several visits to the NGO's offices in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

The Hansiba brand is a revolution inspired by Hansibaben, SEWA's first rural artisan, who, through her courage and determination inspired SEWA and showed the way to thousands of rural women to pull themselves out of poverty.

Hansiba belongs to STFC (SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre), a not-for-profit company jointly owned and managed by over 3,200 rural artisans. Right from the raw material stage to the finishing touches, the entire supply chain is made up of rural women.

All Hansiba products are hand embroidered and hand crafted. Sixty-five percent of all sales go directly to the artisans, who are the shareholders of the company.

Earlier on Saturday, while addressing a press conference, Clinton said: "I am very impressed with Indian women."

"I have been in touch with a number of organisations that are promoting economic opportunities and greater choices in the lives of women here in India. Enormous amount of progress has been made in this field," she added.

While stressing that much more remained to be done for women's empowerment, Clinton said that the development of a nation is directly linked to the progress of women.

"It is absolutely undeniable that the progress of women is directly linked to the progress of any country. The more women have the rights, education, employment opportunities, access to credit, role in decision making in family and community, the more development will take place.

"Progress that has been made is extraordinary. But much more needs to be done. It is a priority of Indian government to create more literacy among women," said Clinton.

Clinton arrived here late Friday and was immediately taken to the Taj hotel, where she is staying as a mark of solidarity with the victims of the 26/11 terror attack.

Clinton will fly to New Delhi on Sunday for meetings with political leaders.
 

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http://ptinews.com/news/181057_Pak-should-root-out-outfits-like-LeT--Clinton

Pak should root out outfits like LeT: Clinton

STAFF WRITER 16:52 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jul 18 (PTI) Pressing Pakistan to root out Lashkar-e-Taiba and other such terror outfits, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today said Islamabad has shown "greater commitment" over last six months to fight terrorism but it was to early to speak about the outcome of that effort.

Apparently expecting more action by Pakistan against terrorism, she said Washington looks for a "concerted effort" so that the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks are brought to justice.

She, however, skirted a question on whether US would put pressure on Islamabad to hand over fugitives like Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to India.

"Terror organisations (in Pakistan) -- we believe they have to be rooted out and they must be defeated and dismantled.
 

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I consider India a global power: Hillary Clinton - India - NEWS - The Times of India

I consider India a global power: Hillary Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke exclusively to Times Now Editor-in-Chief Arnab
Goswami.

Q: It is interesting that today the mastermind of 26/11 was charge sheeted but the trial has not actually started are you concerned that trial has not started?

A: I am concerned if there is no trial and no justice for those who planned the attacks on Mumbai on 26/11. I am looking for a commitment from the countries and one that is carried forward. There must be reckoning of justice for those who have lost their lives.

Q: So, you believe that there must be a trial?

A: I believe there should be full whetting of what happened. There should be fair trail and a thorough analysis of what happened and who was behind. Countries are now understanding that terrorism is a threat to the nation, I hope that we will see full cooperation of governments against these non state actors. In this area (South Asia) there has been terrorism in every country, thus there should be sharing of workable intelligence between countries to prevent such acts.

Q: You have been asked about LeT and such groups that continue to act from Pakistan, would you put pressure using your influence to advise Pakistan to act against groups like LeT?

A: We have in our dialogue with Pakistan been very clear that it is imperative Pakistan has to go after every terror group. These groups are threats to Pakistan as well. These groups are no longer working alone, now they are part of a criminal syndicate. No terrorist group can be left alone, everyone must be acted against.

Q: Secretary would you link aid given to Pakistan to tangible action against terror which would also assure India?

A: I am very proud to be in India, to deepen and strengthen our relationship; I want your viewers to know we are always stressing the counter terrorism effort in every country.

Q: Secretary when they were worries that India was being clubbed with AFPAK countries, would you see India's role as regional power in the region?

A: I consider India not only a regional power but a global power. I think India has the opportunity to resolve problems regionally and work with other nations to solve some of the global challenges. How India decides to do that is upto India. Trying to bring the understanding that India has to the table to deal with the extremist threat in Afghanistan is useful. I think that cooperation that we are building with India on counter terrorism is very good, to get India's help in our side and in what Pakistan is now doing is very welcome.

Q. Do you see any resistance from Pakistan?

A: Over the last 6 months we have seen a evolving attitude in Pak, the Army effort in Buner and Swat have been adjudged by our military leaders to be sincere and committed, there is a attitude in Pakistan today that terrorists pose a threat to them that you can't turn a blind eye to terrorism.

Q: Recently meeting between India and Pak, consensus was that India has shown maturity in de-linking terror, would you believe that Pakistan should continue its fight against terror and not stop?

A: It should be expected, I see very positive steps, India is a mature country and is able to make decisions for itself, and India is also very powerful with military capacity, if necessary. What the government is doing is finding space to eradicate poverty, increase agriculture productivity, create more jobs, the bread and butter issue that will enable India to grow. I have great deal of admiration for the difficult decision that the Government has taken.

Q: On Kashmir India believes it is a bilateral issue. Pakistan would like to see the issue internationalized. Do you see a role for the US as broker?

A: The decision has to between India and Pakistan and it must take into account feelings of people of Kashmir. Our role is not be involved other than to support the process that Indian and Pakistan may decide to enter into.

Q: There were also concerns on nuke deal, is the deal conditional in any way linked to CTBT signing by India?

A: No, the civil nuke deal stands on its own merits, there are provisions which we are working to fulfill, what I am hoping in my conversation with the Indian leaders is that India can help us determine how to keep nuke material out of hands of rogue state and non-state actors hands, what is the appropriate non-proliferation programme for the future, India has capacity to determine where it wants to go in this particular case, the Prime Minister's envoy for non-proliferation had said India wants to contribute to solve problem, which I am interested in.

Nuke deal is not hostage, I was chair of the Indo-America caucus and worked hard for passage for nuke deal, I am committed to its full implementation, what we see as proliferation in place like North Korea and Iran the efforts of terrorist to get nukes, I want to explore what we can do to prevent that.

Q: You come back to India often, there seems to some special bond you share and that you are staying at Taj?

A: I chose to stay at Taj. I wanted to send message that I and my country is in solidarity with guest of Taj who were injured and people of Mumbai. Really as a rebuke to the terrorists who did not destroy the spirit, I am attracted to India, this is my fourth trip, something about dynamism of people, their dedication to democracy which is an inspiration to me. It is a feeling in my heart that makes me feel privileged to be here, I also love the food and I have many friends here.

We will come with the family to walk the street and spend time with people not on a busy schedule like this.

Q: We have seen you in many roles lawyer, first lady and now secretary of state, what next after a few years?

A: Retirement, but probably along lines of what we did I started out as advocate for women and children promote ideals of equality and opportunity be a voice of the voiceless. It's a great tragedy to see that there are people who could have been great doctors but never got educated and never got the chance, I would expand the opportunity for people to make decision that will contribute to the nation.
 

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Kashmir should be part of India, Pak discussions: Clinton
Updated on Saturday, July 18, 2009, 17:40 IST

Islamabad: Ahead of her talks with the Indian leadership, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the disputes between India and Pakistan should be looked at with "fresh eyes" and that Kashmir should "certainly" be on the agenda of discussions between the two countries.

Clinton, who will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders in New Delhi on Monday, said the meeting between Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday has "ignited the hope" that both countries will pursue a dialogue again.

"I think that the disputes between India and Pakistan, which are historical and long-standing, should be looked at with fresh eyes, and there should be an effort to build some mutual trust," Clinton told a TV news channel in an interview.

On the Kashmir issue, she affirmed the US position that it wants India and Pakistan to resolve all such issues bilaterally and that Washington is ready to support the steps that both the countries take together.

"It certainly should be on the agenda of discussion between India and Pakistan," she said when asked whether Kashmir is still seen as a dispute that needs to be resolved.

The top American diplomat said Pakistanis need not fear about her India visit and that she will be visiting Islamabad in the fall.

"The point of my trip to India is to certainly broaden and deepen our relationship with India. And I will be coming to Pakistan in the fall and be looking to do the exact same thing with Pakistan," she said

Kashmir should be part of India, Pak discussions: Clinton
 

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US will not limit India's economic progress: Hillary- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

US will not limit India's economic progress: Hillary
19 Jul 2009, 1758 hrs IST, IANS

GURGAON: Seeking India's proactive cooperation for a new global climate deal, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday made a strong pitch
for low-carbon economy and assured that Washington will "not do anything that will limit India's economic progress".

"The US does not and will not do anything that will limit India's economic progress. We believe that economic progress in India is in everyone's interest and not just in the interest of Indians," Clinton said at a conference on climate change at the ITC Green Building in this satellite town of Delhi.

Clinton arrived in Delhi Sunday afternoon on a two-day visit with the focus on expanding the scope of strategic dialogue that also includes discussions on climate change.

At the climate change conference, she was accompanied by the US special envoy on climate change Todd Stern, US ambassador-designate to India Timothy J Roemer and senior US embassy officials.

"To lift people out of poverty and to give every child born in India a chance to live upto his or her given potential is a goal that we share with you," said a beaming Clinton, dressed in a turquoise business suit.

"But we also believe that there is a way to eradicate poverty and develop sustainably that will lower significantly the carbon footprint of the energy that is produced and consumed to fuel that growth," she said while acknowledging the US' responsibility as the biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gas.

"Addressing climate change and achieving economic growth in our view are compatible," Clinton said.

"The US and India can devise a plan that will dramatically change the way we produce, consume and conserve energy," Clinton stressed.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Special Envoy on Climate Change Shyam Saran also participated in the conference.

Ramesh assured Clinton of India's commitment to combat global warming and cooperation for a successful outcome of the Copenhagen summit in December, which is organised to find a successor to the Kyoto protocol that expires in 2012.

"I want to say that both sides have agreed on the need of partnerships, concrete partnerships, on projects in various fields like energy efficiency, solar energy, biomass, energy-efficient buildings of the type that you are seeing here today," said Ramesh, who was flanked by Clinton.

Clinton was trying to address India's core concern about negotiations on climate change, especially about the impact of binding cuts on greenhouse emissions on economies of developing countries.

India has advocated the principle of collective but differentiated responsibilities of developing and developed countries in cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

New Delhi has consistently argued that any new deal should not impinge on the economic growth of developing countries.

Clinton will try to narrow a wide gap with India on the issue of climate change in her discussions with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna in New Delhi Monday.

Lauding India for steps in introducing green buildings and promoting renewable energy, Clinton cited the ITC hotel chain's Green Building here as a "monument of the future" and a shining example of the growing India-US cooperation in the field of climate change and clean energy.

The office complex, designed to use as much natural light as possible, has been awarded a platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating, the highest given by the US Green Building Council.
 

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http://ptinews.com/news/182463_We-will-support-Indian-farm-initiative--Hillary-Clinton


US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves
upon her arrival at New Delhi airport on
Sunday. PTI Photo


We will support Indian farm initiative: Hillary Clinton


STAFF WRITER 17:48 HRS IST

New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) The US Sunday committed to help India raise farm productivity and eliminate hunger.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), where the US is helping India to develop seeds that give better productivity and crops that use less water.

"We will be announcing five pillars of our cooperation with India. One of the strongest will be agriculture," she told reporters after touring the IARI here.

"India's leadership in agriculture is absolutely crucial ... We will work and support Indian initiative," she said, adding, "we have to work together. It is imperative that we invest in science that increases crop yield".

Clinton said that the private sector has to play an essential role. "We are going to explore partnership (in agriculture. We can be helpful to India," she stressed.
 

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US downplays CTBT differences ahead of India talks Monday

July 19th, 2009

New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Setting the stage for nuclear business with India, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday sought to downplay differences over nuclear issues, saying the two countries can work together for a 21st century non-proliferation regime, but left it to New Delhi to decide its position on signing the CTBT.
“We will work for a 21st century non-proliferation regime. The US will continue to do whatever we can to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” Clinton, who arrived here from Mumbai Sunday afternoon, told NDTV in an interview.

“But I understand long-standing concerns by the Indian government. It’s a natural concern,” she said.

“What I want to discuss with my Indian counterparts, the PM and others is what can we do together to act against proliferation”" she said.

“…and I have been very impressed by the comments that a number of Indian officials have made about new ways of seking approaches that we can explore together,” Clinton said.

“The Obama administation is trying to get Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) passd by our Congress. And I think that this will be an option of course for the Indian government,” she said.

Clinton stressed she will be talking to External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna about what the two countries can do together “to prevent the proliferation of the nuclear and other weapons to non-state actors like Al Qaeda.”

Implementing the civil nuclear deal with India and the prospects of nuclear business between the two countries that could run into billions of dollars will be an important theme of the talks Monday.

India is likely to announce two sites for American nuclear reactors in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh after Clinton’s talks with Krishna here Monday.

In a separate interview to the Times Now after landing in Mumbai Thursday, Clinton stressed that “the civil nuclear deal stands on its own merit” when she was asked if the nuclear deal will be held hostage to India signing the CTBT.

Clinton also stressed that the US will seek India’s help in preventing the proliferation of nuclear technologies to non-state actors and countries like Iran and North Korea.

US downplays CTBT differences ahead of India talks Monday (Lead)
 

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http://ptinews.com/news/182655_Agri-to-be-pillar-of-US-India-co-operation--Clinton

Agri to be pillar of US-India co-operation: Clinton

STAFF WRITER 19:47 HRS IST

New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) Stating that India was well positioned to help it lead the fight against hunger, the US today said agriculture will be the strongest of the five pillars of co-operation the Obama administration was seeking with New Delhi.

"We will be announcing the five pillars of our cooperation (after talks tomorrow). And one of the strongest and most important will be agriculture," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters after a visit to the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), where she toured the agriculture research site.

Recalling 50 years of US-Indo partnership in agriculture, Clinton said, "We have to work together because it is imperative that we invest in science that will increase crop yields."

"We have collaborated over more than 50 years and today we called to collaborate once again," she said.
 

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http://ptinews.com/news/182691_US-does-not-want-protectionism--Clinton


US does not want protectionism: Clinton


STAFF WRITER 20:7 HRS IST

New Delhi, July 19 (PTI) Allaying fears about the reported anti-outsourcing stance of the Barack Obama administration, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today said that America does not want a return to protectionism.

"What President Obama has said (is) that we do not want a return to protectionism when Congress passed the provision in our stimulus bill," Clinton, who is on a visit to India, told private news channel NDTV 24x7 in an interview.

The US government has imposed certain restrictions on companies receiving bailout funds from hiring foreign workers.

"... So he (Obama) has really tried to speak against protectionism and to make sure our administration does not in any way give credence to it," she said.

Regarding outsourcing, Clinton said that it is a concern for many businesses in the US but should not be affecting the trade flow between the two countries.
 

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US to sign $20 billion in defence accords with India

US to sign $20 billion defence accords with India

By Anwar Iqbal
Friday, 17 Jul, 2009 | 05:01 AM PST |




WASHINGTON: India may award more than $20 billion in contracts to American companies building nuclear power plants and selling defence technology, says US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hopes to unveil the two agreements when she visits India next week.

On Wednesday, Mrs Clinton told a gathering in Washington that her talks in New Delhi would be ‘the most wide-ranging that I think has ever been put on the table between India and the United States’.

In a briefing for South Asian journalists, Assistant Secretary Blake said the United States would not appoint a special envoy for Kashmir.

‘I can assure you we are not going to appoint a special Kashmir envoy,’ he said. ‘This is longstanding US policy that this is an issue that needs to be worked (out) between India and Pakistan.’

In Islamabad, this will be interpreted as an endorsement of India’s position on ["]occupied["] Kashmir that no outside power has any role in this dispute.

Mr Blake’s comments, on the eve of Secretary Clinton’s visit that she says will redefine Washington’s relations with New Delhi, also makes it clear that while the US continues to see Pakistan as a key ally in the war against terror, Islamabad will have to deal directly with New Delhi if it needs to resolve its disputes with India.

Mrs Clinton, while addressing the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, also indicated that Washington was willing to acknowledge India’s leading role in its immediate neighbourhood.

‘We’re very interested in the role that India sees for itself in the immediate area,’ she said.

‘We believe India has a tremendous opportunity and a growing responsibility, which they acknowledge, to play not just a regional role but a global one as well.’

One of the two agreements expected to be announced during Secretary Clinton’s visit would be an ‘end-use monitoring’ accord under which the United States would have the right to make sure American arms sold to India are used for their intended purpose and that the technology does not leak to third countries.

‘We hope to be able to sign that,’ Mr Blake said, previewing Mrs Clinton’s trip to India. She arrives in Mumbai on Friday for a two-night visit and then goes to New Delhi for talks on Monday.

The visit is Mrs Clinton’s first to India as secretary of state. Congress last year gave final approval to a pact opening the Indian market to US nuclear power companies.

While talking about her visit, Secretary Clinton said she hoped to engage India on the ‘difficult issue’ of global and regional regimes on WMD, particularly nuclear weapons.

‘We are delighted that our two countries will be engaging in a very broad, comprehensive dialogue. It is the most wide-ranging that I think has ever been put on the table between India and the US,’ she said.


DAWN.COM | World | US to sign $20 billion defence accords with India
 

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