Day 2: Clinton harps on economic ties

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today said her country was betting on India opening its trade.

Addressing students, opinion makers and other citizens for nearly 45 minutes at the newly-built Anna Centenary Library here, she said, “We are betting on India's future. Opening of the country's (India) market would result in a prosperous India and a prosperous South Asia. Advances made in science and technology will enrich human lives. India's vibrant democracy will also produce good results.”

“I find there are those who raise questions about the relationship between the two countries. We two are different nations. But the common interest is stepping up the economic relationship,” she said.

Citing the strategic dialogue between India and the US, she said she had met a wide array of Indian officials and the work had produced good results. The two governments were working on clean energy, climate change control, protecting cyber space and increasing bilateral trade, she said.

Clinton also urged that more American students should study in India and create a bond between the youth and future leaders of both the countries. Emphasising on India's leadership role in the global space, she said the two countries can work together in promoting democratic values in West Asia and other regions. She said the Election Commission of India was sharing its best practices in conducting polls with Egypt and other countries.

She said India and the US were working together in the G20 forum to promote clean energy, climate change and other areas. The two countries were also working on nuclear non-proliferation, she said, calling upon Iran to abide by international norms. Democracy, economics, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation were major areas in which US and the Indian interests converge.

Recalling the old trade Silk Route that connected Europe, Egypt, Arabia, Central Asia, Pakistan, India, Indonesia and ultimately China, she said a new Silk Route had to be established. The economic activity in this region had to get going, as no country could be giving aid to another for a long time.

She said the US was stepping up commercial diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region. Referring to the upcoming East Asian Summit at Indonesia, Clinton said her country would collaborate with India and others. “We encourage India to look East and act East,” she said. The issue high on the agenda for US President Barack Obama, who would be attending the summit, is maritime security and development of disaster relief, she said.

Clinton also urged India to speak out on human right violations in the region, citing Burma where she said people were treated badly. Saying India could help Sri Lanka, she emphasised that Sri Lankans deserve hope and opportunity of the future.