India Moves from U.S. Neutral to Strategic Ally

From President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Speech:

"We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy -- or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting -- yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead."
...
"America rejects the false comfort of isolationism....To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress, and fighting disease, and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends."



More photos from the India trip at the White House web site.

Now, I know this is going to upset a handful of readers who worry that an ally of the United States must be an ally for all time, like France, lest we invest our efforts in working together only to get stabbed in the back.

Those who feel that way may wish to skip the following high praise from Indian Prime Minister Singh on the occasion of President Bush's visit to New Dehli on Thursday.

Faced with President Bush's call "You're either with us, or you are with the terrorists" India has clearly made it's choice to stand with the United States. The second most populous nation in the world has gone from being neutral and indifferent as a leader of the Non-aligned Movemement to an important partner for peace, democracy and freedom in a part of the world that desperately needs it.

And this news may also discomfit our Democrat friends like former Secretary of State Madeline Alwrong who recently lectured the President that we had no friends around the world.

From White House Transcript:

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the press: President Bush and I have completed very cordial and productive discussions this morning. We reviewed the status of our cooperation, including the agenda that was set on July 18, 2005. The joint statement that will be shared with all of you today contains a number of announcements and initiatives that underline the significant progress in our relationship.

Many of the areas that our cooperation now covers are essential to India's national development. They include energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade and investment, high technology, health and a clean environment. This is a highly ambitious agenda, one that is befitting our growing strategic partnership. When implemented they will make a real difference to the lives of our people.

The President and I had an opportunity to review the global situation in our talks. As you're all aware, India and the United States are working together increasingly on global issues. This is not just good for our two countries, but also benefits the international community, as we can complement each others' capabilities and share responsibilities. President Bush is admired for his strong position on terrorism. And I was particularly pleased that we agreed on the need to root out terrorism, of which India has been a major victim.

I'm particularly pleased that we have reached an understanding on the implementation of our agreement on civil nuclear cooperation of July 18, 2005. I have conveyed to the President that India has finalized the identification of civilian facilities to which we had committed. I was also happy to hear from the President that he now intended to approach the U.S. Congress to amend U.S. laws and the Nuclear Supplier Group to adjust its guideline. We will discuss with the International Atomic Energy Agency in regard to fashioning an appropriate India-specific safeguards agreement. You will appreciate I cannot say more now, while our parliament is in session.

Before concluding, I would like to express my warm appreciation for the personal interest shown and the leadership role that President Bush has played in the transformation of our ties. I have met the President a number of times, and on each occasion, I have admired his vision, his resolve, and his commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations. Our discussion today make me confident that there are no limits to the Indo-U.S. partnerships.

And here we've been told that everyone around the world hates us. Guess that was WRONG too!