 "Committed to working with India on climate change agreement: John Kerry")
"We are committed to working with India to reach a landmark climate change agreement in Paris at the end of this year and I know this will be a topic of President Obama's conversation with the Prime Minister and we hope these conversations will take place as well on defence agreement, as well as civil nuclear agreement as well as the economic partnership. These are very specific areas where we want to make some progress," Kerry said while addressing mediapersons during the second day of the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Among other issues being dealt with by the two countries include maritime security, terrorism, piracy and key political and security issues." We are also working together to secure our maritime security throughout the region and we are strengthening our partnership to combat terrorism, piracy and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We are also committed to dialogues on key political and security issues," Kerry said.
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Commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi for climate change policies and renewable energy programs, Kerry said that the two nations could do more together to achieve the former's goals of 24x7 power for every Indian home, adding that it was the right time to accelerate the two nations' economic relationship.
"Having already met Prime Minister Modi now three times during his tenure, I know that he not only understands but is also committed to policies which will deal with climate change and thats why he has already announced his ambitious plans to scale up India's renewable power programs. We have the ability to have good quality relationship on issues including our ongoing research and deployment partnership on clean energy and we work to support the PM's vision of supplying 24x7 power to the poorest commmunities of India," said Kerry while adding, "PM of India has very ambitious plans to try to make sure that every home in India will have electricity in a certain period of time. We believe there is a great deal that we can do together to achieve these very important goals."
Talking about his discussions with PM Modi, Kerry said that both had "thorough discussions" on issues of bilateral relationship as well as preparation of visit of President Barack Obama, who will be the first US President to be chief guest during the Republic Day Parade on January 26.
"During my discussions with PM Modi and his officials, we reviewed the progress of our economic relationship. We also reviewed the necessary steps for taking it to the next level. The promise of this Indo-US relationship is really being implemented and we are beginning to see breakthrough on the kinds of things that are necessary to accelerate economic investments in both ways," Kerry stated.
The US Secretary of State also talked about his visits to the upcoming Ford Motor Company's plant in Sanand as well as interactions with CEOs at the Global CEO Conclave.
Elaborating on the growing economic relationship between the two nations, Kerry said, "The Ford Motor Company is spending $ 1 billion dollars to turn its auto plant here in Gujarat into a regional manufacturing plant. We couldn't have a more graphic statement of transformation than that. India's investment to the United States has grown from just $300 million dollars to $ 9 billion and US investment to India have grown from $2.4 billion to $28 billion. The facts are speaking the reality of this change which is taking place."
"Obviously we can do more to enhance this economic relationship which we intend to continue. Both of us are committed to work towards those decisions and choices to help make that happen."
Kerry also alluded to certain challenges that were discussed during his meetings with PM Modi. "The PM and I also discussed challenges that if solved do have an ability to take relationship further," he said.
On Gujarat, Kerry said that the state had an opportunity to gain significance since it had already taken initiatives towards building efficiencies and streamlining bureacracy. The increase in transparency and accountability by Gujarat coupled with infrastructure development by Gujarat will have a profound impact on people's decisions to invest, he said.
Talking about more co-operation between India and the US, Kerry said that cooperation was being witnessed in issues like clean energy, civil nuclear program, defence relationship, oceans issues as well as space issues. Kerry also highlighted India and the US' joint efforts in Mars mission as well as investment of $ 1 billion in a joint export import bank between the countries.