[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
[July 9, 2008]
[Pages 1003-1004]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Meeting With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India in Toyako
July 9, 2008

    President Bush. Prime Minister Singh and I just had a typical 
conversation amongst friends. We talked about common opportunities and 
world problems, and we did it in a spirit of respect. And it was easy 
for me to do because I respect the Prime Minister a lot. I also respect 
India a lot. And I think it's very important that the United States 
continues to work with our friends to develop not only a new strategic 
relationship, but a relationship that addresses some of the world's 
problems.
    We talked about the India-U.S. nuclear deal and how important that 
is for our respective countries. We talked about the environment and how 
we can work together to grow our economies and, at the same time, be 
responsible stewards of the environment. We talked about free trade, the 
Doha round, and how important it is that nations such as India and the 
United States find common ground to make sure protectionist sentiments 
don't wall us off from the rest of the world.
    We talked about educational exchanges. I reminded the Prime Minister 
that the Indian American population is very proud of this relationship 
and proud of their heritage and proud of the leadership of the Prime 
Minister.
    All in all, it was a really good meeting amongst two friends. And 
so, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for joining us today, and 
congratulations on your leadership at home.
    Prime Minister Singh. Mr. President, it has been a great privilege 
for me to once again meet you and to review with you the state of Indo-
American relations. And I'm very happy to report to the President

[[Page 1004]]

that our relations have moved forward handsomely since our first meeting 
in July 2005. We have made progress in all areas. We have progressed in 
nuclear cooperation, space cooperation, defense cooperation, educational 
exchanges, our working together in multilateral institutions for the 
success of Doha round. And I am very pleased with the state of our 
relationship, which has truly acquired the characteristic of a genuine 
strategic partnership.
    I thank the President for his personal, magnificent contribution to 
the evolution of our relationship. And all I can say is, our 
relationship with the United States has never been in such good shape as 
it is today. And it is the intention of my Government, as I believe it 
is also the will of the Indian people, particularly the thinking 
segments of our population, that in this increasingly interdependent 
world that we live in, whether it is a question of climate change, 
whether it is a question of managing the global economy, India and 
United States must stand tall, stand shoulder to shoulder. And that's 
what is going to happen.
    President Bush. Thank you, sir. We're standing shoulder to shoulder 
right here.

Note: The President spoke at 8:23 a.m. at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort 
and Spa.