    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 21, 2000]
    [Pages 504-506]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Agreed Principles: Institutional Dialogue Between the United States and
    India
    March 21, 2000

        1. During the visit of President Clinton to Delhi in March 2000,
    President Clinton and Prime Minister Vajpayee agreed as part of their vision for the future
    relationship that a regular, wide-ranging dialogue is important for
    achieving the goal of establishing closer and multifaceted relations
    between India and the United States and for the two countries to work
    jointly for promotion of peace and prosperity in the 21st century. The
    two leaders agreed on a number of steps to intensify and
    institutionalize the dialogue between India and the United States.
        2. The President of the United States and Prime Minister of India
    will hold regular bilateral `Summits' in alternating capitals or
    elsewhere, including on the occasions of multilateral meetings, to
    review bilateral relations and consult on international developments and
    issues.

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    They will remain in frequent contact by telephone and through letters.
        3. The two countries will also hold an Annual Foreign Policy
    Dialogue at the level of the Secretary of State of the United States and
    External Affairs Minister of India. This dialogue will be broad-based
    and touch upon all aspects of US-India relations, including considering
    the work of other groups as appropriate.
        4. The two countries also consider the ongoing Dialogue on Security
    and Non-proliferation between the Deputy Secretary of State of the
    United States and External Affairs Minister of India important for
    improving mutual understanding on bilateral, regional and international
    security matters. They agreed that this dialogue should continue and
    take place semi-annually or as often as considered desirable by both
    sides. The Principals of this dialogue will establish Expert Groups on
    specific issues as considered desirable and appropriate.
        5. Foreign Office Consultations between the Under Secretary of State
    for Political Affairs of the United States and Foreign Secretary of
    India will continue. The two leaders believe that close cooperation
    between the two countries is a factor of stability in the politically
    and culturally diverse and rapidly transforming Asia. A Dialogue on
    Asian Security will also be conducted as part of the Foreign Office
    Consultations. The two sides will also stay in close touch and consult
    on international democracy initiatives.
        6. The two leaders consider combating international terrorism as one
    of the most important global challenges. They expressed satisfaction at
    the establishment of the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism and
    its productive first meeting in February 2000. They agree that the Joint
    Working Group should continue to meet regularly and become an effective
    mechanism for the two countries to share information and intensify their
    cooperation in combating terrorism.
        7. The two leaders see an enormous potential for enhancement of
    economic and business relations between the two countries in the
    Knowledge Age. They decided to institutionalize bilateral economic
    dialogue. They will keep themselves informed and follow developments in
    the bilateral economic dialogue closely through a high-level
    coordinating group. The coordinating group will be led on the US side by
    the White House with the support of the State Department, and on the
    Indian side by the Prime Minister's Office with the support of the
    Ministry of External Affairs.
        The Coordinating Group will develop a common economic agenda for and
            undertake preparations for the Heads of Government meetings.
            With broad inter-agency and inter-ministerial representations at
            senior official levels, it would convene regularly to facilitate
            close coordination on the various issues raised in the
            ministerial dialogues and ensure that discussions therein
            complement and reinforce broad economic and foreign policy
            objectives, including the deepening of bilateral cooperation on
            high technology and information technology issues.
        US-India Financial and Economic Forum: The US Secretary of the
            Treasury and the Indian Minister of Finance will host a forum on
            finance and investment issues, macroeconomic policy and
            international economic developments at regular intervals. Their
            meetings at the ministerial level would be supplemented by sub-
            Cabinet meetings and involve, as appropriate, the participation
            of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Reserve,
            Council of Economic Advisors, and other officials of the US
            Government and the Securities and Exchange Board of India,
            Reserve Bank of India, and other officials of the Government of
            India.
        US-India Commercial Dialogue: The US Secretary of Commerce and
            Minister of Commerce and Industry of India will lead a dialogue
            to deepen ties between the Indian and American Business
            communities. The dialogue will encompass regular government-to-
            government meetings to be held in conjunction with private
            sector meetings. Its aim will be to (a) facilitate trade, and
            (b) maximize investment opportunities across a broad range of
            economic sectors, including information technology,
            infrastructure, biotechnology, and services. Participation will
            include, as appropriate, representatives of other Cabinet
            agencies and ministries on both sides. Close contact will be
            maintained with business associations, and activities will be
            planned with the benefit of such private sector input, including

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            the establishment of subcommittees to pursue specific projects
            or sectoral issues of mutual interest.
        US-India Working Group on Trade: The United States Trade
            Representative and the Ministry of Commerce and other concerned
            Ministries/Departments of the Government of India will engage in
            regular discussion to enhance cooperation on trade policy. As
            appropriate, individual trade issues could be examined in
            greater depth with the participation of other agencies with
            corresponding responsibilities and through creation of sub-
            groups. The Group will serve as a locus of consultation on a
            broad range of trade-related issues, including those pertaining
            to the World Trade Organization. The Group will receive inputs
            from the private sector (including trade policy issues
            identified in the US-India Commercial Dialogue) as appropriate.
        8. The two leaders consider cooperation between the two countries in
    energy and environment an important part of their vision for the future.
    They have agreed to set up a Joint Consultative Group on Clean Energy
    and Environment. The Group will hold periodic ministerial/high level
    meetings as desirable and appropriate and will lay emphasis on
    collaborative projects, developing and deploying clean energy
    technologies, public and private sector investment and cooperation, and
    climate change and other environmental issues. The Co-conveners of the
    Group will be the Department of State of the United States and the
    Ministry of External Affairs of India.
        9. The two leaders believe that the strong scientific resources of
    the two countries provide excellent opportunities for scientific
    collaboration between them. They agree to set up a US-India Science and
    Technology Forum. The Forum shall promote research and development, the
    transfer of technology, the creation of a comprehensive electronic
    reference source for US-India science and technology cooperation, and
    the electronic exchange and dissemination of information on US-India
    science and technology cooperation, and other programs consistent with
    the previous practice of the US-India Foundation.
        10. Institutional dialogue in other areas will be considered as
    mutually agreed.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.