Bush wants 'lasting partnership' with India

The Times of India ^ | SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2004 01:29:21 PM | IANS

[VinayFromBangalore]

WASHINGTON : US President George W Bush has greeted India on the occasion of its Republic Day, pledging to build a "lasting partnership" between Washington and New Delhi .

"We are grateful for India 's support in the global coalition against terrorism, and together we can continue to advance peace, freedom and opportunity for all people," he said in a message to the Indian American Associations of National Capital Area, which organised the 55th Indian R-Day celebrations in Beltsville , Maryland , near here.

Bush said for many years the US and India "have been committed to transforming relationships between our nations".

He said the anniversary of India 's R-Day provided an opportunity to recognise the many important contributions that "Indian Americans have made to our society".

"These proud citizens have enriched our culture through their industry and talent, and contributed to the diversity that reflects our founding ideals."

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his message recalled the "deep-rooted association" that non-resident Indians have with their mother country and said their contribution to American society and the catalytic role they were playing in strengthening India-US relations were a matter of "great joy and satisfaction to all of us".

The Indian American Associations of National Capital Area is an umbrella organisation of several Indian associations in the greater Washington area that collectively celebrated Republic Day.

Indian Ambassador Lalit Mansingh presented the keynote address.

Leading Congressman from Maryland Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland , and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans Joe Wilson , a Republican from South Carolina , who were present on the occasion, made brief remarks, vowing to work towards improving Indo-US relations and also noted the contribution of Indian Americans to the enrichment of American life.

They paid tribute to the Indian American community for its strong family values, respect for tradition, hard work, commitment and professional excellence.

Several US lawmakers, including House of Representatives Speaker J Dennis Hastert, a Republican from Illinois , also sent their good wishes on the eve of India 's R-Day.

Hastert also lauded the role of Indian Americans, saying their contributions to the US have proven to be invaluable.

Republican Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey and founder member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said: "I know that this 55th year of the Indian Republic will witness an even stronger India that lives up to its great commitment to democracy."

Senator Paul Sarbanes, a Republican from Maryland , calling the celebrations of India 's R-Day a "historic event", said: "I look forward to our continued close working relationship on issues concerning the two great democracies of America and India ".

[swarthyguy]

>>The problem with India is that if you disagree with the govt, you get labeled as a terrorist group. Freedom of association is not readily available in India.

And you wonder about ad hominems.

[FirstPrinciple]

Why don't you try to create a pro-Kashmir independence group in India and see what happens?

[FirstPrinciple]

Your comment is ridiculous. So you are saying the American Revolution is unjustified. Why didn't we just keep England keeps its colonies then? Who gets to define that the separatists are trying to create a monolithic, minority-hating society? If India is so keen on preserving democracy, why don't they hold a plebiscite in Kashmir as was asked to do so 50 years ago. Kashmiris never had a say on what their political fate would be. And what about the Balkans? We were fighting there explicitly so as nation states can be formed on the ethnic-religious-cultural ground. Check your facts.

[FirstPrinciple]

Most Sikhs hate India. Most of them would rather be independent from India but noone wants to be labeled a terrorist. I wouldn't be surprised if the current administration of East Punjab consists of Sikhs who are willing to kiss up to the Indian govt for political power.

[Pro-Bush]

Smart move, India knows how to educate their students in IT. They make it a priority! We Don't. A fact!

[Cronos]

Sheesh, one track minds. Translation == Better co-operation between two democracies, inching closer to getting a very strategic ally in the war on slam and the chicoms.

[Cronos]

Sheesh, one track minds. Translation == Better co-operation between two democracies, inching closer to getting a very strategic ally in the war on slam and the chicoms.

I suppose we should just be overlooking Indian army's acts of terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir.

Ha, you've been brainwashed by the lib media's support of slammie networks. These are the same media outlets that call our liberation of Irq as an occupation.

[Cronos]

The terror groups in K seem to be mostly Taliban derived groups or alQ sponsored groups.

[Cronos]

I support freedom fighters anywhere.

Ditto for the Paelestinian "freedom fighters" or the alQ "freedom fighters" on 911??? Sheesh, real freedom fighters don't target womena nd children, drop bombs at Govt forces etc. See the East Timorese struggle -- those are freedom fighters, ditto the Tibetans.

An India split into a myriad of independent countries -- close to 300 it'd be, would be like GErmany after the treaty of Wesphalia -- no coherence, open to extremism. What would happen would be that these countries would be swallowed up by slamies and the Chinese and soon you'd have a Chicom-Slamie super state stretching from Morocco to the South China sea.

[Cronos]

The problem with India is that if you disagree with the govt, you get labeled as a terrorist group. Freedom of association is not readily available in India.

The Indian govt allows all the freedom of speech within limits (not inciting violence), like ours. If they did not, how can you explain the plethora of political parties with different views? If freedom of association was NOT allowed, then you'd have a one party state like in the slammie or commie world. THe last I heard they've got so many parties, they have had coalition governments for over a decade.

[Cronos]

Why don't you try to create a pro-Kashmir independence group in India and see what happens?

There IS a pro-K independence group -- the Hurriyat conference which is allowed to stand for elections. The thing is -- they have boycotted the past few. The Indian govt allows them to stand for elections if they don't haveterrorist groups. We should do the same to Arafart.

If you want to start a pro-Bongobongo independence group there, like in any democracy, YOU CAN. If you start using weapons against the govt then you get thrown in prison. If you start using weapons against innocent civilians, then you're a terrrroist and deserve to be Guantanamoed.

[Cronos]

I don't think I remember reasidn about our revolutionary fore fathers planting bombs in London. DO you? You target innocents, you are a terrorrrist in my book and deserve no mercy.

[Cronos]

I wouldn't be surprised if the current administration of East Punjab consists of Sikhs

East (?) Punjab? AH, another wacky Packki in the midst. There are Sikhs all over India. So, you suggest that when Punjab becomes a free state, all the millions of Punjabis in other parts of India get kicked out? Kind of like saying, that Poland got independence so kick all the Poles out of the US, Australia, etc. or the IRISH. That's stupid.

[FirstPrinciple]

I agree that freedom fighters don't use violence against women and children. The Indian army, however, thinks differently. Why can't we have democracy in Kashmir? The kashmiris have been denied to choose their destiny since 1947, when the UN actually asked India to hold a plebiscite. That hasn't happened yet. I am very intrigued, but not surprised, that if Punjab became independent then you say the Indian govt should kick out all Sikhs from other parts of India. Why? Sikhs and non-Sikhs should all be able to live in free Punjab, like they have for centuries. There are plenty of Punjabis who wanted a peaceful separation from India, but the Indian govt never allowed that, and to top it all of laid a seige on the holiest Sikh shrine which ticked off average Sikhs. Is Pakistan behind it? Possibly. But Pakistan doesn't create these problems. These are problems created by India, which Pakistan takes advantage of. BTW, Kashmir and Punjab are not the only two states who want to have nothing to do with India. Some north-eastern and southern states want separation as well.

[Cronos]

Pakistan was created as the land for South AsianMuslims by the Brits. It was not. The largest percentage of South Asia'sMulsims live in India. However in Pak, there is a move ofr sharia and driving out the nonMulsmis.

[Ga Rob]

I agree!! When I was employed in the high tech sector they were very patriotic, very appreciative to be here. I love the "more American jobs going overseas" whining, like it's the Indians fault that they will do work lazy Americans have again screwed up!!!!

[Cronos]

Pakistan was created as the land for South AsianMuslims by the Brits. It was not. The largest percentage of South Asia'sMulsims live in India. However in Pak, there is a move ofr sharia and driving out the nonMulsmis.

There IS a democracy in Kasmir -- they have had elections whenever theterrorists were kept down -- they had one a few years ago.

I say that your point of asking for a separate Punjab is stupid because of the discontent it will raise -- think of it, Punjab says it should be independent. There are millions of Punjabis all over India who do very well with no discrimination at all. Suddenly you create a reason for discontent.

Folks will say: "If they want to be independent of India, why are they still in India?" Then you'd want this to spread to all over India -- a Balkanisation of India. Then comes the Borther versus brother -- worse than the Sectarian wars that gripped germany before the TReaty of Westphalia.

You'd have millions killed in an internecine battle that'd make the Jugoslavia conflict seem like a picnic -- especially since in Jugoslave you had ONE dominant group, whereas in india you'd probably have a dozen at least, so a massive upheaval. The slammies and the Chinese communists then step in and give the peace of the CommunistSlamist govt.

Sheesh.

[swampfox98]

WASHINGTON : US President George W Bush has greeted India on the occasion of its Republic Day, pledging to build a "lasting partnership" between Washington and New Delhi.

Translation: Welcome to the one world government! America pays the bills and fights the wars, and Bush sends the good paying jobs to every part of the world to please his greedy friends in business.

[swarthyguy]

Most Sikhs hate India

WOW! Such insight. Ever consider reality?