Speeches / Statements

EAM's Statement in Parliament on visit of US Secretary of State

21/07/2009

SUO MOTU STATEMENT BY EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER IN PARLIAMENT ON “RECENT VISIT TO INDIA BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Ms. HILLARY CLINTON”

Madam Speaker,

I rise to inform the House of the visit of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to India. Secretary of State Clinton held talks with me, and called on the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition yesterday.

During the visit, we held productive and constructive discussions on global issues, the situation in our region and on how to enhance our bilateral partnership.

Our Governments have concluded two important agreements: (i) on creation of a Science & Technology Endowment Board; and, (ii) a Technical Safeguards Agreement which will permit the launch of civil or non-commercial satellites containing US components on Indian space launch vehicles.

We have also agreed on the end-use monitoring arrangements that will henceforth be referred to in letters of acceptance for Indian procurement of US defence technology and equipment. This systematizes ad hoc arrangements for individual defence procurements from the USA entered into by previous governments.

We have also agreed on a new bilateral dialogue architecture within which we will continue discussions between our two countries on a wide range of issues.

The visit has helped to broaden and deepen our bilateral relationship and to set the terms of future engagement between India and the United States of America.

A copy of the joint statement issued after our discussions is placed on the Table of the House.

New Delhi
July 21, 2009,