TOYAKO, Japan--(Business Wire)--
Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa
8:23 A.M. (Local)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Prime Minister Singh and I just had a typical
conversation among friends. We talked about common opportunities,
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 is a great opportunity for
me to once again meet you and to review with you the state of
Hindu-American relations. And I'm very happy to report to the
President that our relations have moved forward handsomely since our
first meeting in July 2005. We have made progress in all areas. We
have progress in nuclear cooperation, space cooperation, defense
cooperation, educational exchanges, our working together in
multilateral institutions for the success of the 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.
END 8:27 A.M. (Local)
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