Frank Pallone: “after President Bush made his first ever visit to India last week, I want to lend my personal support to the…”

“after President Bush made his first ever visit to India last week, I want to lend my personal support to the ever-improving relationship between the world's two largest democracies. His 3-day visit was another great step towards our two Nations' strategic partnership. The United States and India have made extraordinary progress over the last several years, and the path that lies ahead is critical to our improving relationship. Besides the U.S.-Indian civil nuclear cooperation deal, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh spoke about a number of important initiatives that would enhance cooperation in defense, counterterrorism, agriculture, energy and promotion of democracy. Based on their shared values of diversity, democracy, and prosperity, the growing partnership between the United States and India has created profound opportunities that are central to the future success of the international community. I appreciated that the President put some emphasis on the Kashmir conflict. He called for a solution agreeable to all parties and emphasized the need for ``tangible progress'' on the issue. The deep- seated hostility between India and Pakistan, of course, long predated the U.S. war on terrorism, but the conflict in Kashmir cannot be separated from it. Bush used his trip to urge the leadership of India and Pakistan to continue down the road to peace.…”