    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 18, 2005]
    [Pages 1232-1236]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference With Prime Minister Monmohan
    Singh of India
    July 18, 2005

        President Bush. Thank you. I'm proud to stand here today with Prime
    Minister Singh, the leader of one of the world's great democracies. Mr.
    Prime Minister, welcome to America. I applaud your vision, and I applaud
    your leadership. Laura and I are honored to
    welcome you and Mrs. Kaur to the White House.
        We just had a great discussion, a very frank and open discussion.
    And tonight we look forward to welcoming you for a little family dinner.

    [[Page 1233]]

        India and the United States share a commitment to freedom and a
    belief that democracy provides the best path to a more hopeful future
    for all people. We also believe that the spread of liberty is the best
    alternative to hatred and violence. Because of our shared values, the
    relationship between our two countries has never been stronger. We're
    working together to make our nations more secure, deliver a better life
    to our citizens, and advance the cause of peace and freedom throughout
    the world.
        The Governments of India and the United States are working together
    to safeguard our people. We are charting new steps in our defense
    relationship through the recently signed new framework that will help
    our two nations work toward common security objectives. We're working
    together on counterterrorism to help protect our people and make the
    world a safer place. We're also committed to increasing the prosperity
    of the people of India and America alike. Today we announced the
    completion of the next steps in strategic partnership. Completing this
    partnership will help us further enhance our cooperation in the areas of
    civil nuclear, civil space, and high technology commerce.
        Last month, we launched a reinvigorated U.S.-India economic dialog
    to focus high-level attention on trade, finance, investment, and the
    environment. Prime Minister Singh and I are about to meet with business
    leaders from both our nations who have joined us here today for the
    inaugural meeting of the CEO Forum. The expertise of these private
    sector leaders will help our two Governments build trade and increase
    investment for the good of our peoples. Cleaner energy resources,
    including nuclear power, are vital for the future of both our economies.
    We have begun a bilateral energy dialog to find ways to work together in
    this important area. Our two nations also have a common interest in
    bettering the lives of people around the world. We are launching a
    disaster response initiative to better respond to future disasters, just
    not in Asia but around the world.
        I appreciate Prime Minister Singh's leadership. He's a man who's
    committed to peace and liberty. I look forward to working with you,
    Prime Minister. I thank you for coming. The podium is yours.
        Prime Minister Singh. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Ladies and
    gentlemen of the press, I would like to begin by thanking President Bush
    for the warmth of his hospitality and the wide-ranging discussions that
    we've had this morning with him. These discussions have been, indeed,
    very productive and focused on the future direction of a transformation
    in our multifaceted relations.
        I am happy that the President and I share the common goal of making
    this one of the principal relationships for each of our countries. The
    President's personal commitment to this relationship is deeply admired
    by the people of India. The support and good will of the friendly people
    of the United States in managing the transition from a developing
    country to a fast-expanding economy is something we greatly welcome and
    greatly appreciate. The President's assurance to me that India's
    sustained economic growth has his strong support and support of the
    United States means a lot to us.
        The joint statement that we have agreed upon lays out the full
    potential of our multifaceted cooperation. The President has accepted my
    invitation to visit India at the earliest, and we are confident that the
    results of the understanding that we have reached today would be fully
    evident by then.
        Our partnership is one between rigorous and vibrant democracies, and
    we have agreed today to give expression to our shared values in a
    variety of ways. The President's steadfast determination and leadership
    in meeting the challenges of international terrorism is widely
    appreciated by us, in particular, but all the world, all civilized men
    and women all over the

    [[Page 1234]]

    world. There can be no cause that justifies the killing of innocent and
    defenseless civilians. There must be an international norm of zero
    tolerance for terrorists.
        Meeting global challenges requires credible and effective global
    institutions. Today, the world is debating the reform of the United
    Nations. In our talks, President and I were of one mind that the
    contemporary reality must be fully reflected in the central organs and
    decisionmaking processes of the U.N. India has a compelling case for
    permanent membership of the Security Council. We are convinced that
    India can significantly contribute to U.N. decisionmaking and
    capabilities.
        A growing Indian economy, with an accelerated growth rate averaging
    about 6 to 7 percent in recent years, and its integration with the world
    economy would expand the scope for commerce, investment, and
    technological cooperation between our two countries. Shortly after this
    press interaction, the President and I will spend a few minutes with
    corporate leaders from both countries of the first meeting of the CEO's
    Forum. This forum includes some of the best business minds of our two
    countries. We have announced today a series of other initiatives
    designed to build a long-term, knowledge-driven partnership between
    India and the United States. These reflect the vision that the President
    and I have of our shared future.
        We also discussed the importance of ensuring adequate energy and
    affordable supplies at a time when oil prices remain high. Both of us
    recognize that civilian nuclear energy has a greater role in meeting
    global energy demands. We in India have an ambitious and attainable
    national roadmap in this regard. We look forward to President Bush's
    strong leadership on this important issues.
        I must, once again, thank you, Mr. President, for the warmth of your
    welcome and for your deep and abiding personal commitment to the
    building of our partnership.
        I would now be glad to take your questions.
        President Bush. Hold on a second. The way this is going to work--the
    way this will work is, I'll call on somebody from the American side, and
    then the Prime Minister will do so. Then I'll call somebody, and the
    Prime Minister will do so. We'll answer two questions apiece, starting
    with Terry [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    Disclosure of CIA Employee's Identity

        Q. Mr. President, you said you don't want to talk about an ongoing
    investigation, so I'd like to ask you, regardless of whether a crime was
    committed, do you still intend to fire anyone found to be involved in
    the CIA leak case? And are you displeased that Karl Rove told a reporter
    that Ambassador Joe Wilson's wife worked for the Agency on WMD issues?
        President Bush. We have a serious ongoing investigation here--
    [laughter]--and it's being played out in the press. And I think it's
    best that people wait until the investigation is complete before you
    jump to conclusions. And I will do so as well. I don't know all the
    facts. I want to know all the facts. The best place for the facts to be
    done is by somebody who's spending time investigating it. I would like
    this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts, and if someone
    committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration.

    Kashmir

        Q. My question is to President Bush. The question relates to the
    line of control in Kashmir, Mr. President. President Clinton had made
    clear the U.S. policy that in the interest of peace, the sanctity of the
    line of control must be maintained by every side.
        Would you, Mr. President, like to reaffirm the U.S. stand that the
    sanctity of the line of control cannot be violated by anyone in future,
    in the interest of the peace? Mr. President.

    [[Page 1235]]

        President Bush. Well, U.S. policy has not changed. This problem will
    be solved by India and Pakistan. And our role is to encourage the
    leaders from both countries to work in good faith to solve this long-
    standing problem. And I am pleased with the progress being made, as
    should the people of India. I think the people of India ought to applaud
    strong leaders that are willing to work to achieve peace. And I think we
    have an opportunity to help facilitate the dialog on this long-standing
    issue.
        But the truth of the matter is, in order for there to be a solution,
    the Prime Minister, representing the great people of India, and
    President Musharraf, representing the
    people of Pakistan, are going to have to come to a mutually acceptable
    agreement. To the extent we can help, we're more than willing to try to
    help. But we're not a party to the agreement, of course. I'm hopeful--
    I'm hopeful that the progress achieved thus far can be continued. And I
    applauded the Prime Minister in my private meeting with him for taking a
    step toward peace.
        Adam [Adam Entous, Reuters].

    Upcoming Supreme Court Nomination

        Q. Thank you.
        President Bush. Yes, thanks.
        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. We understand you are now close to a
    decision on a Supreme Court nominee.
        President Bush. Really? [Laughter] It's amazing how Washington
    works, Mr. Prime Minister. [Laughter]
        Q. Have you narrowed down the list and met with finalists? Will you
    now share the list with Senate leaders to avoid a confirmation battle,
    as Democrats have proposed?
        President Bush. Well, thank you for telling me where I am in the
    process. I appreciate that. We've consulted with the Senate. We will
    continue to consult with the Senate. I, of course, am the person that
    picks the nominee, and they get to decide whether or not the nominee
    gets confirmed. That's the way it has worked in the past. That's the way
    it's going to work in this administration.
        And of course I'm reviewing a different candidate. I'm reviewing
    their curriculum vitae, as well as their findings. I will sit down with
    some and talk to them face to face, those who I have not known already.
    You know, we've got some people that--perhaps in contention that I've
    already spent time with, that I know. In other words, I'm familiar with
    some of the people that are being speculated about in the press. And so
    I don't need to interview those. But of course I'm going to take a very
    thorough approach.
        What they're referring to is a Supreme Court vacancy. And this is a
    really important decision. And I'm going to take my time, and I will be
    thorough and deliberate. But make no mistake, we have heard a lot of
    suggestions from Members of the United States Senate--a lot. It turns
    out, many of the Senators have got strong opinions one way or the other,
    and of course we're listening to them.
        But my desire, Adam, is to get this process moving so that someone
    will be confirmed, whoever he or she is, will be confirmed by October.
    And if that's the backstop, we're working back to try to accommodate the
    Senate and their desire. Part of the consultation was to ask the
    Senators, ``What's it take to get somebody in place by the October
    session?''
        And thank you for your question, and thank you for telling me how
    close I am to--or at least indicating what others think. [Laughter]

    Nuclear Technology

        Q. Mr. Prime Minister, you have sought the removal of restrictions
    on nuclear and high technology supplies to India. After the meeting with
    President Bush, how do you see the prospects in this area?
        Prime Minister Singh. Well, I think we have had a very constructive
    and productive meeting. And as you will see from the joint statement,
    this issue has been addressed

    [[Page 1236]]

    in a manner which gives me great satisfaction. And I thank the President
    for his personal role and interest in facilitating a solution to this
    complex problem.
        President Bush. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you. Very good job. Well
    done. Thank you, sir.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 11:08 a.m. in the East
    Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gursharan Kaur,
    wife of Prime Minister Singh; and President Pervez Musharraf of
    Pakistan.