"The new vision is of trans-pacific and not trans-atlantic"

Blake affirms Obama administration’s commitment to Indo-US strategic partnership

1/25/2011
Syracuse, NY: Speaking at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Assistant Secretary of State, Robert O. Blake affirmed the Obama Administration’s commitment to the US-Strategic partnership, which was strengthened by the president’s recent three day visit to India last November. He used the presidents’ words to describe the unique partnership as the “most important one for the US in the 21st century”. Shared values of pluralism, democratic processes, belief in human rights and economic progress are what will help us work together, he added.
He also spoke of the Maxwell School’s connection with India, with the then Dean Appleby making a visit to India and preparing the “Survey of India” in the 1950s’, which led to the establishment of the Indian Institute of Public Administration.
“We believe India is our most important partner both in terms of trade, as well as our regional interests in Asia. Areas of technology, clean energy, Information Technology, healthcare, Human resources and Space exploration were discussed during the Strategic dialogue that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has initiated with the Indian government. We are committed to ensuring that India reaches where it has to, and in it lies the best interest of the USA”, he pointed out.
He also pointed out that India is the rising star of the region, with its GDP being 10 times what it was in 1990, when it liberalized its economy. It is the 14th largest trade partner with the USA, and we have very good reasons to believe that this partnership will only grow in the future, despite challenges. He also fended questions from the audience about security issues, conflicting interests with India and Pakistan and terrorism etc.
Earlier in the day he spent time with graduate students and talked about his experiences as a foreign service officer and shared tips about possible career opportunities.

Key points from his speech :

- The relationship between India-US is one of the most important one in the 21st century from the US perspective.

- The fact that both countries are democracies and economies which are significant on the world stage makes this partnership important

- The strategic dialogue initiated by Secy. of state Hillary Clinton has created a momentum that is both positive and forward looking. There is a need to build on it and India sees the benefit of working to make this happen

- President Obama's visit to India in November shifted gears in terms of our relationship with India, into one of the most important ally in the region

- Tapping areas of common interest and mutual benefit is what will help both countries.

- We signed a few MoUs' with firms and also government entities in India during president Obama's visit.

- We have also facilitated the trade and technology transfer between India-USA, and we will see greater business and other transactions between the US and India