India-US ties have "blossomed" in the last one year after the Narendra Modi-led government came to power last year, says US Ambassador to India Richard Verma. Lauding India's initiatives in foreign policy, the US envoy said that in the past one year it has been "on the move", with the prime minister visiting 18 countries and 33 cities.
"He (Modi) is signalling that India will be a player on the global stage for years to come and we welcome and support that global leadership role - politically, economically and in global institutions," Verma said.
Speaking on one year of the NDA government at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, Verma said, "The last time I was in Washington, I shared my concept of a 'strategic plus' relationship between the US and India, which reflects an enhanced commitment to our shared interests. This strategic plus relationship has blossomed in the last year, highlighted by the two Obama-Modi summits."
Referring his visit to China, the US ambassador said he was able to strike a balanced tone between enhancing cooperation and seeking to resolve outstanding issues. On some of the government's flagship programmes like the Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Smart Cities he said US is keen to play a central role in these.
"There are also opportunities for US industry in several of the initiatives set forth by the government... Of course, the success of the Make in India initiative will hinge, in large part, on India's economic and investment climate," he said.
Verma also stressed on the need to expedite the conclusion of the India-US Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). "A high-standard BIT would further enhance investor confidence and send an important signal to US investors, especially infrastructure investors, that India is open for business. Ultimately though, the direction of the economy is one for India to decide, but I sense there is recognition among many that if India is going to realise its goals for Make in India, it needs to adopt an attitude of encouraging foreign investment, not just permitting it," he highlighted.
Verma, however, stressed that the government needed to take decisive action on taxation, intellectual property rights and regulatory measures. "During my first six months as ambassador, I have seen a real commitment by our Indian partners to carry out a bold vision for an India on the rise. To be sure, there will be challenges, but there is also a renewed sense of possibility and there is perseverance," Verma said.
