    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [February 22, 2006]
    [Pages 314-321]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the Asia Society
    February 22, 2006

        Thank you all. Madam President--it's
    got a nice ring to it. [Laughter] Thank you for your kind introduction;
    thank you for inviting me here. I'm honored to be here with the members
    of the Asia Society as you celebrate your 50th anniversary.
        I came here today to talk about America's relationship with two key
    nations in Asia: India and Pakistan. These nations are undergoing great
    changes, and those changes are being felt all across the world. More
    than five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus set out for India and
    proved the world was round. Now some look at India's growing economy and
    say that that proves that the world is flat. [Laughter] No matter how
    you look at the world, our relationship with these countries are
    important. They're important for our economic security, and they're
    important for our national security.
        I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Singh in India and President Musharraf in Pakistan. We will discuss ways that our nations can
    work together to make our world safer and more prosperous by fighting
    terrorism, advancing democracy, expanding free and fair trade, and
    meeting our common energy needs in a responsible way.
        I appreciate Ambassador Holbrooke.
    I appreciate your service to our country. Thanks for being the chairman
    of the Asia Society. Leo Daly is the
    chairman of the Asia Society of Washington. Leo, thank you. It's good to
    see you.
        I appreciate the members of the diplomatic corps that have joined us
    today, in particular, Ambassador Sen from India
    and Ambassador Karamat from Pakistan.
    Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules to come and hear the
    President give a talk.
        Fifty years ago, many Asian nations were still colonies; today,
    Asians are in charge of their own destinies. Fifty years ago, there were
    only a handful of democracies in Asia; today, there are nearly a dozen.
    Fifty years ago, most of Asia was mired in hopeless poverty; today, its
    economies are engines of prosperity. These changes have been dramatic,
    and as the Asian continent grows in freedom and opportunity, it will be
    a source of peace and stability and prosperity for all the world.
        The transformation of Asia is beginning to improve the lives of
    citizens in India and Pakistan, and the United States welcomes this
    development. The United States has not always enjoyed close relations
    with Pakistan and India. In the past, the cold war and regional tensions
    kept us apart, but today, our interests and values are bringing us
    closer together. We share a common interest in promoting open economies
    that creates jobs and opportunities for our people. We have acted on
    common values to deliver compassionate assistance to people who have
    been devastated by natural disasters. And we face a common threat in
    Islamic extremism. Today I'm going to discuss America's long-term
    interests and goals in this important part of the world and how the
    United States can work together with India and Pakistan to achieve them.
        The first stop on my trip will be India. India is the world's
    largest democracy. It is home to more than a billion people--that's more
    than three times the population of the United States. Like our own
    country,

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    India has many different ethnic groups and religious traditions. India
    has a Hindu majority and about 150 million Muslims in that country.
    That's more than in any other country except Indonesia and Pakistan.
    India's Government reflects its diversity. India has a Muslim
    President and a Sikh Prime Minister. I look forward to meeting with both of them. India
    is a good example of how freedom can help different people live together
    in peace. And this commitment to secular government and religious
    pluralism makes India a natural partner for the United States.
        In my meetings with Prime Minister Singh,
    we'll discuss ways to advance the strategic partnership that we
    announced last July. Through this partnership, the United States and
    India are cooperating in five broad areas.
        First, the United States and India are working together to defeat
    the threat of terrorism. Like the American people, the people of India
    have suffered directly from terrorist attacks on their home soil. To
    defeat the terrorists, our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are
    cooperating on a regular basis to make air travel more secure, increase
    the security of cyberspace, and prevent bioterrorist attacks. Our two
    governments are sharing vital information on suspected terrorists and
    potential threats, and these cooperative efforts will make the Indian
    Government more effective as a partner in the global war on terror and
    will make the people in both our countries more secure.
        Secondly, the United States and India are working together to
    support democracy around the world. Like America, India overcame
    colonialism to establish a free and independent nation. President
    Franklin Roosevelt supported India in its quest for democracy, and now
    our two nations are helping other nations realize the same dream.
        Last year we launched the Global Democracy Initiative, which is a
    joint venture between India and the United States to promote democracy
    and development across the world. Under this initiative, India and the
    United States have taken leadership roles in advancing the United
    Nations Democracy Fund. The fund will provide grants to governments and
    civil institutions and international organizations to help them
    administer elections, fight corruption, and build the rule of law in
    emergency democracy--in emerging democracies. We're also encouraging
    India to work directly with other nations that will benefit from India's
    experience of building a multiethnic democracy that respects the rights
    of religious minorities.
        India's work in Afghanistan is a good example of India's commitment
    to emerging democracies. India has pledged $565 million to help the
    Afghan people repair the infrastructure and get back on their feet. And
    recently, India announced it would provide an additional $50 million to
    help the Afghans complete their National Assembly building. India has
    trained National Assembly staff, and it's developing a similar program
    for the Assembly's elected leaders. The people of America and India
    understand that a key part of defeating the terrorists is to replace
    their ideology of hatred with an ideology of hope. And so we will
    continue to work together to advance the cause of liberty.
        Third, the United States and India are working together to promote
    global prosperity through free and fair trade. America's economic
    relationship with India is strong, and it's getting better. Last year,
    our exports to India grew by more than 30 percent. We had a trade
    surplus of $1.8 billion in services. India is now one of the fastest-
    growing markets for American exports, and the growing economic ties
    between our two nations are making American companies more competitive
    in the global marketplace. And that's helping companies create good jobs
    here in America.
        The growing affluence of India is a positive development for our
    country. America

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    accounts for 5 percent of the world's population. That means 95 percent
    of our potential customers live outside our borders. More than a billion
    of them live in India. We welcome the growing prosperity of the Indian
    people and the potential market it offers for America's goods and
    services.
        When trade is free and fair, it benefits all sides. At the end of
    World War II, the United States chose to help Germany and Japan recover.
    America understood then that as other nations prosper, their growing
    wealth brings greater stability to their regions and more opportunities
    for products Americans manufacture and grow. The same is true today with
    developing nations such as India. As India's economy expands, it means a
    better life for the Indian people and greater stability for the region.
    It means a bigger market for America's businesses and workers and
    farmers.
        The area of America's relationship with India that seems to receive
    the most attention is outsourcing. It's true that a number of Americans
    have lost jobs because companies have shifted operations to India. And
    losing a job is traumatic. It's difficult. It puts a strain on our
    families. But rather than respond with protectionist policies, I believe
    it makes sense to respond with educational polices to make sure that our
    workers are skilled for the jobs of the 21st century.
        We must also recognize that India's growth is creating new
    opportunities for our businesses and farmers and workers. India's middle
    class is now estimated at 300 million people. Think about that. That's
    greater than the entire population of the United States. India's middle
    class is buying air-conditioners, kitchen appliances, and washing
    machines, and a lot of them from American companies like GE and
    Whirlpool and Westinghouse. And that means their job base is growing
    here in the United States of America. Younger Indians are acquiring a
    taste for pizzas from Domino's--[laughter]--Pizza Hut. And Air India
    ordered 68 planes valued at more than $11 billion from Boeing, the
    single largest commercial airplane order in India's civilian aviation
    history. Today, India's consumers associate American brands with quality
    and value, and this trade is creating opportunity here at home.
        Americans also benefit when U.S. companies establish research
    centers to tap into India's educated workforce. This investment makes
    American companies more competitive globally. It lowers the cost for
    American consumers. Texas Instruments is a good example. Today, Texas
    Instruments employs 16,000 workers in America. It gets more than 80
    percent of its revenues from sales overseas. More than 20 years ago,
    Texas Instruments opened a center in Bangalore, which is India's Silicon
    Valley. They did so to assist in analog chip design and digital chip
    design and related software development. The company says that their
    research centers in countries like India allow them to run their design
    efforts around the clock. They bring additional brainpower to help solve
    problems and provide executives in the United States with critical
    information about the needs of their consumers and customers overseas.
        These research centers help Texas Instruments to get their products
    to market faster. It helps Texas Instruments become more competitive in
    a competitive world. It makes sense. The research centers are good for
    India, and they're good for workers here in the United States.
        In the past decade, India has made dramatic progress in opening its
    markets to foreign trade and investment, but there's more work to be
    done. India needs to continue to lift its caps on foreign investment, to
    make its rules and regulations more transparent, and to continue to
    lower its tariffs and open its markets to American agricultural
    products, industrial goods, and services. We'll continue to work for
    agreements on these economic and regulatory reforms to ensure that
    America's goods and services are treated fairly. My attitude is this: If
    the rules are fair, I believe our

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    companies and our farmers and our entrepreneurs can compete with
    anybody, anytime, anywhere.
        India is an important--is a market for our products. India is also
    important as a partner in opening up world markets. As a new nation,
    India emphasized self-sufficiency and adopted strong protectionist
    policies. During this period, its economy stagnated and poverty grew.
    India now recognizes that a brighter future for its people depends on a
    free and fair global trading order. Today, the Doha round of trade talks
    at the World Trade Organization provides the greatest opportunity to
    lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and to boost economic
    growth across the world. The WTO members' aim is to complete the Doha
    round by the end of this year. India has played an important leadership
    role in the Doha talks, and we look to India to continue to lead as we
    work together for an ambitious agreement on services and manufacturing
    and agriculture.
        Fourth, the United States and India are working together to improve
    human health and the environment and address the issue of climate
    change. So we've joined together to create the Asia-Pacific Partnership
    on Clean Development and Climate. Together with Australia and China and
    Japan and South Korea, we will focus on practical ways to make the best
    practices and latest energy technologies available to all--things like--
    technologies like zero-emission, coal-fired plants. As nations across
    the region adopt these practices and technologies, they will make their
    factories and powerplants cleaner and more efficient. We look forward to
    being an active partner in this partnership.
        Fifth, the United States and India will work together to help India
    meet its energy needs in a practical and responsible way. That means
    addressing three key issues: oil, electricity, and the need to bring
    India's nuclear power program under international norms and safeguards.
        India now imports more than two-thirds of its oil. As the economy--
    as its economy grows, which we're confident it will, it will need even
    more oil. The increased demand from developing nations like India is one
    of the reasons the global demand for oil has been rising faster than
    global supply. Rising demand relative to global supply leads to price
    increases for all of us.
        To meet the challenge here in America, I have proposed what's called
    an Advanced Energy Initiative to make this company [country]* less
    reliant upon oil. As I said in the State of the Union, ``We've got a
    problem; we're hooked on oil.'' And we need to do something about it.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        *White House correction.
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        And so we're spending money on research and development to develop
    cleaner and more reliable alternatives to oil, alternatives that will
    work, alternatives such as hybrid vehicles that will require much less
    gasoline, alternatives such as new fuels to substitute for gasoline, and
    alternatives such as using hydrogen to power automobiles. We will share
    these promising energy technologies with countries like India. And as we
    do so, it will help reduce stress on global oil markets and move our
    world toward cleaner and more efficient uses of energy.
        India's rising economy is also creating greater demand for
    electricity. Nuclear power is a clean and reliable way to help meet this
    need. Nuclear power now accounts for nearly 3 percent of India's
    electricity needs, and India plans to increase the figure by--to 25
    percent by 2050. And America wants to help.
        My administration has announced a new proposal called the Global
    Nuclear Energy Partnership. Under this partnership, America will work
    with nations that have advanced civilian nuclear energy programs--such
    as Great Britain, France, Japan, and Russia--to share nuclear fuel with
    nations like India that are developing civilian nuclear energy programs.
    The supplier nations

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    will collect the spent nuclear fuel, and the supplier nations will
    invest in new methods to reprocess the spent nuclear fuel so that it can
    be used for advanced new reactors. The strategy will allow countries
    like India to produce more electricity from nuclear power; it will
    enable countries like India to rely less on fossil fuels; it will
    decrease the amount of nuclear waste that needs to be stored and reduce
    the risk of nuclear proliferation.
        To benefit from this initiative, India first needs to bring its
    civilian energy programs under the same international safeguards that
    govern nuclear power programs in other countries. And India and the
    United States took a bold step forward last summer when we agreed to a
    civil nuclear initiative that will provide India access to civilian
    nuclear technology and bring its civilian programs under the safeguards
    of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
        This is not an easy decision for India, nor is it an easy decision
    for the United States, and implementing this agreement will take time,
    and it will take patience from both our countries. I'll continue to
    encourage India to produce a credible, transparent, and defensible plan
    to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs. By following
    through on our commitments, we'll bring India's civilian--civil nuclear
    program into international mainstream and strengthen the bonds of trust
    between our two great nations.
        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 a important strategic partnership.
    We'll work together in practical ways to promote a hopeful future for
    citizens in both our nations.
        The second stop of my trip will be to Pakistan. Pakistan is a key
    ally in the war on terror. Pakistan is a nation of 162 million people.
    It has come a long way in a short period of time. Five years ago,
    Pakistan was one of only three nations that recognized the Taliban
    regime in Afghanistan. That all changed after September the 11th.
    President Musharraf understood that he had
    to make a fundamental choice for his people. He could turn a blind eye
    and leave his people hostage to terrorists, or he could join the free
    world in fighting the terrorists. President Musharraf made the right
    choice, and the United States of America is grateful for his leadership.
        Within 2 days of the attack, the Pakistani Government committed
    itself to stop Al Qaida operatives at its border, share intelligence on
    terrorist activities and movements, and break off all ties with the
    Taliban Government in Kabul if it refused to hand over bin Laden and the Al Qaida leadership. President
    Musharraf's decision to fight the
    terrorists was made at great personal risk. He leads a country that the
    terrorists seek to use as a base of operations, and they take advantage
    of every opportunity to create chaos and destabilize the country. The
    terrorists have tried to assassinate President Musharraf on a number of
    occasions, because they know he stands in the way of their hateful
    vision for his country. He is a man of courage, and I appreciate his
    friendship and his leadership.
        Pakistan now has the opportunity to write a new chapter in its
    history, and the United States wants to build a broad and lasting
    strategic partnership with the people of Pakistan. And in my meetings
    with President Musharraf, we'll be
    discussing areas that are critical to the American-Pakistan
    relationship.
        First, the United States and Pakistan will continue our close
    cooperation in confronting and defeating the terrorists in the war on
    terror. Second, the United States and Pakistan understand that in the
    long

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    run, the only way to defeat the terrorists is through democracy.
        Pakistan still has a distance to travel on the road to democracy,
    yet it has some fundamental institutions that a democracy requires.
    Pakistan has a lively and generally free press. I'm confident I will
    hear from them on my trip to Pakistan. [Laughter] Occasionally, there's
    interference by security forces, but it's a strong press. Pakistanis are
    free to criticize their Government, and they exercise that right
    vigorously. There are a number of political parties and movements that
    regularly challenge the Government. President Musharraf remains committed to a moderate state that respects
    the role of Islam in Pakistani society while providing an alternative to
    Islamic radicalism. The United States will continue to work with
    Pakistan to strengthen the institutions that help guarantee civil
    liberties and help lay the foundations for a democratic future for the
    Pakistani people.
        The United States and Pakistan both want the elections scheduled for
    next year to be successful. This will be an important test of Pakistan's
    commitment to democratic reform, and the Government in Islamabad must
    ensure that these elections are open and free and fair. The Pakistanis
    are taking this step toward democracy at a difficult time in their
    history. There are determined enemies of freedom attacking from within.
    We understand this struggle; we understand the pressure. And the United
    States will walk with them on their path to freedom and democracy.
        The United States and Pakistan both want to expand opportunity for
    the Pakistani people. Opportunity starts with economic growth, and that
    is why President Musharraf has made
    economic reform a priority for his administration. These reforms have
    helped Pakistan's economy grow rapidly last year. There is strong
    economic vitality in that country, and we will help Pakistan build on
    that momentum.
        We're taking several steps to open up markets and expand trade. And
    these include efforts to conclude a bilateral investment treaty that
    would establish clear and transparent rules to provide greater certainty
    and encourage foreign direct investment. By fostering economic
    development and opportunity, we will reduce the appeal of radical Islam
    and demonstrate that America is a steadfast friend and partner of the
    Pakistani people.
        The United States and Pakistan are working together to improve
    educational opportunities for the Pakistani people. Young men in
    Pakistan need a real education that provides the skills required in the
    21st century workplace. Pakistan needs to improve literacy for its women
    and help more Pakistani girls have the opportunity to go to school.
        Last year, the United States provided $66 million to help improve
    Pakistani education, especially in the least developed regions of the
    country. This is money well spent. We're glad to partner with the
    Pakistan Government to help train primary school teachers and
    administrators and build new schools and adapt existing ones so that
    young girls can attend school. These funds also support the largest
    Fulbright program in the world--an educational exchange that brings
    Pakistani scholars to America and American scholars to Pakistan. By
    helping Pakistan increase the educational opportunities for its people,
    we'll help them raise their standard of living and help them marginalize
    the terrorists and the extremists.
        The Pakistani people saw America's commitment to their future when
    we responded in their hour of need. When a devastating earthquake hit a
    remote area in the mountains of north Pakistan, it claimed more than
    73,000 lives and displaced more than 2.8 million people from their
    homes. American relief workers were on the ground within 48 hours. Since
    then, we've pledged more than a half a billion dollars for relief and
    reconstruction, including $100 million in private donations from our
    citizens. These funds have helped to

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    build 228 tent schools, improve shelter for over half a million people,
    and feed over a million folks. Our compassion is making a difference in
    the lives of the Pakistanis, and it's making a difference in how they
    view America.
        The terrorists have said that America is the Great Satan. Today, in
    the mountains of Pakistan, they call our Chinook helicopters ``angels of
    mercy.'' Across their country, the Pakistani people see the generous
    heart of America. Our response has shown them that our commitments to
    Pakistan are real and lasting. We care about the people in that
    important country. When they suffer, we want to help.
        The great changes that are taking place inside India and Pakistan
    are also helping to transform the relationship between these two
    countries. One encouraging sign came after the earthquake, when India
    offered assistance to Pakistan, and President Musharraf accepted. India sent tents and blankets and food and
    medicine, and the plane that delivered the first load of supplies was
    the first Indian cargo aircraft to land in Islamabad since the 1971 war.
    India and Pakistan must take advantage of this opening to move beyond
    conflict and come together on other issues where they share common
    interests.
        Good relations with America can help both nations in their quest for
    peace. Not long ago, there was so much distrust between India and
    Pakistan that when America had good relations with one, it made the
    other one nervous. Changing that perception has been one of our
    administration's top priorities, and we're making good progress.
    Pakistan now understands that it benefits when America has good
    relations with India. India understands that it benefits when America
    has good relations with Pakistan. And we're pleased that India and
    Pakistan are beginning to work together to resolve their differences
    directly.
        India and Pakistan are increasing the direct links between their
    countries, including a rail line that has been closed for four decades.
    Trade between India and Pakistan grew to more than $800 million from
    July of 2004 to July of 2005--nearly double the previous year.
        The Governments of India and Pakistan are now engaged in dialog
    about the difficult question of Kashmir. For too long, Kashmir has been
    a source of violence and distrust between these two countries. But I
    believe that India and Pakistan now have an historic opportunity to work
    toward lasting peace. Prime Minister Singh
    and President Musharraf have shown
    themselves to be leaders of courage and vision. On my visit, I will
    encourage them to address this important issue. America supports a
    resolution in Kashmir that is acceptable to both sides.
        This is a sensitive time in South Asia. In Pakistan and other
    countries, images broadcast around the world have inflamed passions, and
    these passions have been cynically manipulated to incite violence.
    America believes that people have the right to express themselves in a
    free press. America also believes that others have the right to disagree
    with what's printed in the free press and to respond by organizing
    protests, so long as they protest peacefully. And when protests turn
    violent, governments have an obligation to restore the rule of law,
    protect lives and property, and ensure that diplomats who are serving
    their nations overseas are not harmed. We understand that striking the
    right balance is difficult, but we must not allow mobs to dictate the
    future of South Asia.
        In this vital region, the stakes are high and the opportunities are
    unprecedented. With the end of the cold war and the fall of the Taliban,
    more and more people are looking forward to a future of freedom. As
    freedom spreads, it's bringing hope to hundreds of millions who know
    nothing but despair. And as freedom spreads, it's sweeping away old
    grievances and allowing people in central Asia and South Asia and beyond
    to take their rightful place in the community of nations.

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        This vision will take years to achieve, but we can proceed with
    confidence because we know the power of freedom to transform lives and
    cultures and overcome tyranny and terror. We can proceed with confidence
    because we have two partners--two strong partners--in India and
    Pakistan.
        Some people have said the 21st century will be the Asian century. I
    believe the 21st century will be freedom's century. And together, free
    Asians and free Americans will seize the opportunities this new century
    offers and lay the foundation of peace and prosperity for generations to
    come.
        May God bless India and Pakistan. May God continue to bless the
    United States.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:47 a.m. at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
    In his remarks, he referred to Vishakha N. Desai, president, and Richard
    C. Holbrooke, executive committee chairman, Asia Society; Prime Minister
    Manmohan Singh, Ambassador to the U.S. Ronen Sen, and President A.P.J.
    Abdul Kalam of India; President Pervez Musharraf and Ambassador to the
    U.S. Jehangir Karamat of Pakistan; and Usama bin Laden, leader of the Al
    Qaida terrorist organization.