[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED 
                    STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise improved 
relations and partnerships between the United States and the Republic 
of India. The United States and India have never been as committed to 
each other as they are today. Our two countries are two democratic 
nations that hold many of the same goals and ideals in common, such as 
supporting democratic institutions and eradicating global terrorism. 
The transformation of U.S.-India relations over the past four years has 
indeed strengthened economic and diplomatic cooperation between our two 
countries.
  In the past year, United States and Indian officials have met 
countless times to address our economic and political agendas. Under 
Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, Secretary of 
Transportation Norman Mineta, former Secretary of Defense Donald 
Rumsfeld, and current Secretary of State Condoleezaa Rice have all 
recently visited India to engage in constructive dialogue on improving 
U.S.-India relations. Additionally, Indian Defense Minister Pranab 
Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Shri Natwar Singh have met with 
President Bush in Washington, D.C. The visit by the Honorable Prime 
Minister of India Manmohan Singh to the United States, including last 
week's bicameral address in the confines of this great Chamber also 
marks a commitment to the growth of our bilateral relationship.
  The current acts of friendship on the part of the United States and 
India have demonstrated the improvement in relations and should be 
commended. The signing of the Next Steps in the Strategic Partnership 
(NSSP) initiative was an important contributor to the improved 
relationship between the United States and India. It addresses civilian 
space cooperation, civilian nuclear activities, high-technological 
trade and missile defense issues. Last month, both defense secretaries 
of the United States and India signed a ten-year military agreement. 
Additionally, U.S. commercial military sales to India have risen from 
$5.6 million in 2003 to $17.7 million in 2004, and are projected to 
surge to $64 million in 2005. This increase in sales demonstrates the 
trust and promise of our partnership.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States and India have made significant 
strides in improving our relationship. Because of that, U.S.-India 
relations have never been stronger. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution and join me in commending the continuing improvements 
in relations between the United States and the Republic of India. May 
our partnership with India be everlasting.

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