India-U.S. to jointly work to grow their economies: Strobe Talbott

NEW DELHI - Strobe Talbott, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, has said that India and the United States should work together to enhance their economic might through technological innovation.

Addressing a seminar, ‘Dialogue on US-India Strategic Partnership’ here on Tuesday, Talbott said: “”Part of his (President Barack Obama’s) message is going to be that the recovery of the American economy depends upon the United States continuing to make the best of the opportunities that come with us being operating in a globalised world.”

“Pushing back in other words against the instincts that could lead to protectionism, isolationism, nativism and so forth. And second that the dynamism of the Indian economy means among other things that the United States and India can work together to grow their economies through technological innovation,” he added.

Commenting on the prospect of India getting a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Talbott said that whether India gets a permanent seat in the council or not, India and U.S. will continue working together.

“If assurances are made about there being a permanent seat for India at the Security Council, it will be a little bit like a cheque that runs some risk of bouncing for not being en-cashable for a long time to come. I hope that our two governments will continue to do what they are already doing which is working through existing structures including at the regional level” added Talbott.

Reacting on the possibility of developing a triangular relationship between India, China and the U.S., Talbott said that this would be an important topic of conversation during President Obama’s visit.

“The United States has a very profound interest in better relations with China and better relations between China and India. These two countries account for nearly a one-third population of the planet and our number of the global issues that we face are notably including what I regard to be the most dangerous of them all, which is climate change. If India and China are not part of the solution then the problem is insoluble,” noted Talbott.

Talbott further said U.S. and India should coordinate their unilateral policies in divergent fields and also engage in a certain amount of enhanced bi-lateral cooperation and work with couple of other major players particularly European Union (EU) and China.

Speaking on counter terrorism efforts, Talbott said the massacre that occurred in Mumbai in 2008 was a wake up call for both India and the US.

He said India and U.S. needed to understand each other’s goals, interests and concerns in the fast changing geo politics of the 21st century. (ANI)