    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 18, 2005]
    [Pages 1238-1239]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India
    July 18, 2005

        Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Kaur, Laura and I are honored to welcome you to the White House. It
    is a great privilege to have

    [[Page 1239]]

    you here, along with our distinguished guests tonight.
        India and the United States are separated by half the globe. Yet
    today, our two nations are closer than ever before. The ties that bind
    us are enriched by the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Indian
    origin. These citizens contribute a lot to America's vitality. Today,
    these Americans are leaders in their professions in business and
    science, in space exploration and technology, and in many other fields.
    And the United States is a better place because of the thousands of
    students who come here from India to study in our universities.
        Today, our two nations are bound by our common interests. Our
    trading partnership has grown dramatically in recent years, which brings
    greater prosperity and opportunity to citizens of both our countries.
    America and India also understand the danger of global terrorism, which
    has brought grief to our nations and united us in our desire to bring
    peace and security to the world.
        Above all, India and the United States are bound together by common
    values. As two strong, diverse democracies, we share a commitment to the
    success of multiethnic democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of
    law. And we believe that by spreading the blessings of democracy and
    freedom, we will ensure lasting peace for our own citizens and for the
    world.
        Last year, Mr. Prime Minister, you said that the best is yet to come
    in the relationship between India and the United States. The good
    meetings we have had today demonstrate your foresight. America looks
    forward to working even more closely with India in the coming years to
    spread prosperity and freedom and peace.
        And so tonight, Mr. Prime Minister, as we celebrate the friendship
    of our two nations, I offer a toast to you, to your gracious wife, and to the great people of India.

     Note: The President spoke at 8:07 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Gursharan Kaur, wife of
    Prime Minister Singh. The transcript made available by the Office of the
    Press Secretary also included the remarks of Prime Minister Singh.