[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PRESIDENTIAL VISIT TO INDIA

  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, as I am sure all of my colleagues are 
aware, President Bush arrives today in India, where he will meet with 
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. As the President observed on 
February 22, ``We have an ambitious agenda with India. Our agenda is 
also practical. It builds on a relationship that has never been better. 
India is a global leader, as well as a good friend, and I look forward 
to working with Prime Minister Singh to address other difficult 
problems such as HIV/AIDS, pandemic flu, and the challenge posed by 
Iran's nuclear ambitions. 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.''
  One of the most important items of business between the United States 
and India is the agreement for these two great democracies to cooperate 
on civil nuclear energy, which President Bush and Prime Minister Singh 
announced this past July. I have previously spoken in support of this 
initiative. I am hopeful that we will soon reach an agreement on the 
details of the plan and look forward to the Senate's consideration of 
the legislation that will implement the agreement.
  The civil nuclear agreement with India is important for a number of 
reasons, ranging from improving global nonproliferation efforts to 
lessening India's demand on fossil fuels. I would like to emphasize 
that India and the United States have common interests in preventing 
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related materials. 
Indeed, India has repeatedly made the hard decision to stand with the 
United States in seeking a peaceful solution to Iran's nuclear weapons 
ambitions.
  However, it would be a mistake to confine the significance of the 
President's mission to India to nuclear issues. India is not only the 
world's largest democracy but a rapidly growing consumer market for 
American goods and services. Unlike some other developing economies, 
India's growth is not confined to heavy industry geared for the export 
market. Because India's economic dynamo is being driven from the bottom 
up, satisfying the needs of a rising middle class points to a balanced, 
healthy commercial relationship with the United States.
  President Bush's visit to India is an opportunity to advance our 
partnership across the full range of issues: expanded cooperation on 
economic growth and development; mutual commercial opportunities, 
combating international terrorism; and a full field of cooperation on 
space, agriculture, energy and the environment, and high technology. I 
wish him the greatest success in all of these areas.

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