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India, US to work towards strategic partnership: Bush
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: India and United States on Monday reiterated their commitment towards enhancing their bilateral strategic partnership, as U.S.President George W Bush extended a warm and colourful ceremonial welcome to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the start of the latter's three-day official visit to the United States. In a half-an-hour ceremony on the South Lawns of the White House, marked by a honour guard and the playing of the national anthems of the two countries in the presence of about 300 people, both President Bush and Prime Minister Singh extolled the advantages of Indo-U.S. ties. A 19-gun salute boomed as Bush received Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the south lawns of the White House on a warm and muggy day. The visit is being termed as official with full state honours. The national anthems of India and the US were played during the ceremony that was full of pomp and colour. Both sides of the White House - Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue - were bedecked with American and Indian flags, a sight that warmed the hearts of the large number of Indian Americans in the Washington area.

     Welcoming Prime Minister Singh, President Bush in a speech lasting three minutes said that both the United States and India were committed to worjk together for a "safer and better world. "Our ties are strong. Our bond of committment is to peace and regional stability and to fight global terrorism, and we shall work together for this," said President Bush. "The U.S. has admired the way India has embraced democracy and human rights. India is an economic power, and is working towards the betterment of its people. The Indo-US relationship has transformed and is strengthening. We saw this in the tsnami. We worked together in coordinating relief. There is a great potential in Indo-U.S. relationship, and we shall work for a stronger relationship," President Bush said. He further went on to say that Washington was looking forward to expanding its economic ties with India. Responding to Bush's speech, Prime Minister Singh in his two- minute speech said that he was confident about the growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington. "India and the United States face common challenges that threaten to disrupt our way of life and values that we both hold dear. We have a common committment to democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. There is potential for our two countries to work together bilaterally to meet global challenges," Dr .Singh said. "Mr. President, there is appreciation and an expectation in India to improve the relationship between our two countries. The agenda for our meeting today will reflect this transformation. Today, we can make a significant contribution towards global peace and security, and to give our peoples a better quality of life, a more secure future and greater stability," said the Prime Minister. hundreds of Indian Americans descended there in their traditional attire. There were nuns of the Missionaries of Charity, Sikhs in colourful turbans, women in saris and salwar kameez and scores of children - all waving Indian and American flags that were distributed freely.

     The two leaders then headed inside the White House for closed door one-on-one meetings. The White House Rose Garden is designed in the tradition of an 18th-centrury American garden. Roses, tulips and a variety of other flowers bloom from early spring until late fall. Located in the West Wing area of the White House, the Rose Garden has been used for many presidental news conferences as well as White House-affiliated marriages such as Richard Nixon's daughter Tricia, marrying Edward Cox in 1971. The Rose Garden was begun in 1913 by Ellen Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson, on the site of a previous colonial garden. The garden was later redesigned by John F. Kennedy to allow for outdoor ceremonies. Planning for a garden at the White House began with President George Washington, who expressed a desire to plant a botanical garden. Washington purchased the land for what is now the South Lawn from a tobacco planter named Davy Burns, while the North grounds originally belonged to the Pierce family. As the first President to occupy the White House, John Adams ordered the first planting of a garden. Thomas Jefferson then undertook a complete redesign of the garden. He started the tradition of planting trees when he planted hundreds of seedling trees, although none of Jefferson's trees is believed to have survived to the present day. In order to commemorate the nation's centennial in 1876, President Hayes began the tradition of planting commemorative trees. Today, there are more than three dozen such commemorative trees West Garden has been known as the Rose Garden ever since. Its signature tree is the Katherine Crab Apple Tree. Also in 1913, Mrs. Wilson brought the landscape designer Beatrix Farrand to the White House to landscape the East Side of the garden, which remains in almost exactly the same form today. President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1935 to redesign the gardens. Today, this plan still serves as the basis for the gardens' layout. The East Garden was also redesigned during the Kennedy administration, but not completed until the Johnson administration. It was designed to feature both seasonal flowers and hedges. Lady Bird Johnson then dedicated the East Garden to Jacqueline Kennedy. Since then, the East Garden has been known variously as the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. Events that are held in the Rose Garden include the annual pardoning of the turkey, and other presidential ceremonies and speeches.

     On tours at the White House, one can see flowers such as tulips, hyacinths and chrysanthemums in the East Garden. Plants that can be seen in the Rose Garden include magnolia trees, Katherine crab apple trees and a variety of roses. Meanwhile, in article appearing in The Wall Street Journal today, U.S.Ambassador David C Mulford has said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's landmark visit to the United States will mark the "next stage" in the relationship between the world's two largest democracies. "The world's two great democracies are now positioned for a partnership that will be crucial in shaping the international landscape in the 21st century," Mulford says in his article. Substantiating his view, Mulford said that in the months prior to the July 18-20 visit, officials of both countries have met and firmed up ways to progress to the next stage of their strategic partnership, including cooperation on political and defence issues, promotion of democracy, global peacekeeping operations and combating terrorism and weapons of mass destruction threats. The new defence framework agreement signed recently between Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, he said would act as a guide for Indo-US defence relations for the next decade in several areas.

Bush, Singh for long-term strategic, economic partnership (Go To Top)
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: US President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday made a strong pitch for promoting a long term strategic and economic partnership between the two countries. In a joint press conference held at the White House after in- camera one-to-one talks, both President Bush and Prime Minister Singh said that they had had very "frank and open" discussions on issues of mutual bilateral interest. While President Bush said that he was personally committed to taking the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership with India (NSSP) forward, Prime Minister Singh said that his talks with the President had indeed been "very productive for the future direction of our multi-dimensional relationship. Dr. Singh further said that India has a compelling case for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and "we are convinced that we will significantly contribute to the United Nations in the coming future." He said that India and United States are exploring avenues to give momentum to a "knowledge-driven partnership". More to follow.

US recognises India's civilian N-energy needs: Manmohan (Go To Top)
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said that the United States had recognised New Delhi's need for civilian nuclear energy, and asked President George W Bush to show strong leadership on the matter. "We have an ambitious national roadmap for civilian nuclear energy and we are committed to that. We look forward to President Bush taking a strong position on the issue. The Prime Minister also called for an international norm of zero tolerance on terrorism. The Prime Minister said that President Bush's committment to this relationship (NSSP) was deeply admired by the Indians and his "concern for India means a lot to us." President Bush said that he lauded Prime Minister Singh's vision and leadership, and added that immediately after the joint press conference, both leaders would be meeting corporate captains from both the countries, and seek ways to build up bilateral trade and increase of investment. In response, Dr. Singh added that India's growing economy would expand the scope for a greater level of trade and commerce "between our two countries". Prime Minister Singh also informed that President Bush has accepted his invitation to visit India at the earliest.

Singh to Bush: Back us for UNSC seat (Go To Top)
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: India this evening made a strong case to the United States for backing its candidature for a seat at the United States Security Council. "India has a compelling case for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and we believe that we can significantly contribute to the UN," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a joint press conference at the White House after a closed door meeting with US President Bush.

US offers to assist in Indo-Pakistan peace process (Go To Top)
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: The United States today formally offered to assist both India and Pakistan in carrying forward their peace process. At a joint press conference at the White House following one-on- one talks, U.S.President George W.Bush when asked what was Washington's position on the Line of Control separating India and Pakistan, he said: "The U.S.policy is unchanged. It is a bilateral problem to be solved between India and Pakistan, and we are pleased with the progress being made." "While the United States is not a party to the India-Pakistan peace process, it will be happy to help if required. But, both countries have to find a solution which is mutually acceptable," President Bush added.

Manmohan Singh in Harry Truman's home  (Go To Top)
by Smita Prakash

     Washington: Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh arrived in Washington DC on a balmy Sunday afternoon and was received at the Andrews Air Force Base by the Indian Ambassador to the United States, Rananendra Sen, Mrs Sen and the deputy chief of mission, Raminder Jassal. There were about 50 or so expat Indians who assembled near the tarmac waiting to catch a glimpse of the Indian Prime Minister. After shaking hands with them all, Dr. Singh and his wife Gurcharan Kaur immediatly left for Blair House where they will be staying as guests of U.S. President George W.Bush till Wednesday (July 20). Built in 1824, Blair House serves as the official guest house of the President of the United States. It has been a hotbed of political activity for over 200 years. In fact, several conferences were held at Blair House during the U.S.Civil War in the middle of 19th century. It was in 1948, that President Harry Truman and his family moved into Blair House while the White House was undergoing restoration. There was even an assassination attempt on President Truman in 1950, but escaped unhurt. Among the guests who have been hosted here are British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehuh Barak. The rest of the Indian delegation is staying at the Willard Intercontinental in downtown D.C. and a favourite among the movers and pushers in this most powerful city in the world. Constructed in 1850, the Willard is known as the 'Grand Dame of American Hotels'. Lobbyists and Congressmen frequent the Round Robin Bar and Cafe 1401. The media accompanying the Prime Minister, which number almost 70, are putting up at the more modest Wardman Park Marriott, whose location is near where the action is and yet close to the lush greenery of Rock Creek Park, making it a favourite with tourists. The Prime Minister's itinerary, however, for the the next three days is so packed with appointments that neither he nor the accompanying delegation will get much time for R&R.

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