I believe that America and India should stand shoulder to shoulder as this momentous process unfolds. That is one reason why I supported the historic civil nuclear deal. I supported it unequivocally, unlike my opponent in this election, who sought to attach “killer amendments” that would have scuttled the accord and greatly set back our partnership. India has been a responsible, law-abiding power, and it should be further integrated into the global effort to control proliferation of dangerous technologies, not marooned in some permanent “half-way” status. India should be able to take maximum advantage of new technologies that can provide energy without depending ruinously on imported, greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels. I am pleased that the American Congress prevented killer amendments from sinking this pact before it had a chance to move forward. Now that it is progressing, it should be a major step — but only one among many — in a robust program of strategic partnership between our nations.

We can work to enhance military cooperation, including promoting expanded Indian access to military technologies, partnership on missile defence, and cooperation to secure Indian Ocean sea lanes. Our countries share a vital interest in the defeat of terrorists who threaten open societies like ours, and it is in our interest to ensure that they find no safe haven. By increasing our counterterrorism cooperation, including through expanded intelligence sharing, we can work together to combat this danger. And by drawing on our natural strengths, we can partner to strengthen democracy and tolerance in other Asian states. We have begun to do so already, and should work to promote our values by adopting common approaches to toward countries like Burma.

... contd.