The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 25, 2015
India-U.S. Delhi Declaration of Friendship
“Chalein saath saath; forward together we go.” Reflecting the close ties between our two great democracies, India and the United States agree to elevate our long-standing strategic partnership, with a Declaration of Friendship that strengthens and expands the relationship between our two countries
“Sanjha Prayaas, SabkaVikaas; Shared Effort, Progress For All.” Each step we take to strengthen the relationship is a step towards shaping international security, regional and global peace, prosperity and stability for years to come.
Signaling the natural affinity enjoyed by our two nations, this Declaration proclaims a higher level of trust and coordination that will continue to draw our Governments and people together across the spectrum of human endeavor for a better world.
The India-U.S. Vision Statement endorsed in September 2014 committed our nations to a long-term partnership for prosperity and peace, through which our countries work together to make our citizens and the global community, safer and more prosperous.
The Declaration makes tangible and enduring the commitment of our two countries to harness the inherent potential of our two democracies, and upgrades the unique nature of our relationship, committing our Governments to work through areas of difference.
Through this Declaration of Friendship and in keeping with our national principles and laws, we respect:
Equal opportunity for all our people through democracy, effective governance, and fundamental freedoms;
An open, just, sustainable, and inclusive rule-based global order;
The importance of strengthened bilateral defense ties;
The importance of adapting to and mitigating the impact of climate change through national, bilateral and multilateral efforts;
The beneficial impact that sustainable, inclusive development will have on our two countries and the world;
The centrality of economic policies that support the creation of strong and sustainable jobs, inclusive development, and rising incomes; and
Transparent and rule-based markets that seek to drive the trade and investment necessary to uplift all members of society and promote economic development.
As part of this Declaration of Friendship, we commit to:
Hold regular Summits with increased periodicity;
Elevate the Strategic Dialogue to a Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, of which the Strategic elements would continue to be chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India and the U.S. Secretary of State and the Commercial components of the Dialogue would be led by India’s Minister of Trade and Commerce and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This reflects the United States’ and India’s commitment to strengthen commercial and economic ties to advance mutual prosperity, regional economic growth and stability;
Establish secure hotlines between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the United States of America and National Security Advisors;
Cooperate to develop joint ventures on strategically significant projects;
Build meaningful security and effective counterterrorism cooperation;
Hold regional and multilateral consultations;
Consult and hold regular consultations in multilateral forums; and
Leverage the talents and strengths of our people to enhance sustainable, inclusive development around the globe.
Sources:The White house declaration
President Obama has called India one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century, one which will be vital to U.S. strategic interests in Asia-Pacific and across the globe. Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama all visited India, underscoring the increasing importance of the bilateral relationship. Our relationship is rooted in common values, including the rule of law, respect for diversity, and democratic government. We have a shared interest in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity. The United States and India have a common interest in the free flow of global trade and commerce, including through the vital sea lanes of the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. supports India's critical role as a leader in maintaining regional stability. Security ties are reflected in growing bilateral defense and counterterrorism cooperation. The United States and India also are developing their defense partnership through military sales and joint research, co-production and co-development efforts.
The U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, launched in 2009, was expanded in 2015 to become the U.S.-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. It provides opportunities to strengthen collaboration in areas including energy, climate change, trade, education, and counterterrorism. The inaugural meeting was held in September 2015.
The strength of people to people linkages between the United States and India has come to define the indispensable relationship between our two countries. The increased cooperation of state and local officials to create ties has enhanced engagement in education. Additionally, state to state and city to city engagements have created new partnerships in business and the private sector and enhance our robust government to government engagement.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States is one of India's largest trade and investment partners. U.S.- India bilateral trade in goods and services and the stock of Indian FDI in the United States have increased over the last decade, supporting thousands of U.S. jobs. Bilateral trade between our two countries is up since we began our Strategic Dialogue.
The United States and India are continuing efforts to deepen the economic relationship, improve investor confidence, and support economic growth in both countries. India's market-oriented economic reforms have included an increasingly liberal foreign investment regime in many sectors.
On energy cooperation, the United States and India are committed to working collaboratively in bilateral and multilateral fora to help ensure mutual energy security, combat global climate change, and support the development of low-carbon economies that will create opportunities and fuel job growth in both countries. The two countries consult regularly on the future of global oil and gas markets, expanding sustainable energy access to support jobs and economic growth in both countries, collaborating in research and technology, and increasing U.S. exports of clean energy technology.
U.S. exports to India include diamonds and gold, aircraft, machinery, and optic and medical instruments. U.S. imports from India include diamonds, pharmaceutical products, oil, agricultural products, organic chemicals, and textile articles. U.S. direct investment in India is led by the professional, scientific, technical services, manufacturing finance/insurance, and information sectors. India direct investment in the U.S. is primarily concentrated in the professional, scientific, and technical services, and banking sectors.
India's Membership in International Organizations
India and the United States share membership in a variety of international organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. The United States supports a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member. India is an ASEAN dialogue partner, an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development partner under its Enhanced Engagement program, and an observer to the Organization of American States. India is also a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), of which the United States is a dialogue partner.
Reflecting the natural affinity, the declaration proclaimed a higher level of trust and coordination that will continue to "draw our Governments and people together across the spectrum of human endeavor for a better world."
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