I am traveling with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson this week on his inaugural visit to South Asia and am looking forward to working with officials in New Delhi to increase U.S.-India cooperation as outlined in his speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on October 18.
This visit could not come at a more promising time for the U.S.-India partnership, as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of relations between our two countries and look forward to co-hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad next month. Speaking of the U.S.-India partnership, the Secretary noted in his speech that “together, we have built a sturdy foundation of economic cooperation as we look for more avenues of expansion. The announcement of the first Global Entrepreneurship Summit ever to be hosted in South Asia, to take place in Hyderabad next month, is a clear example of how President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are promoting innovation, expanding job opportunities, and finding new ways to strengthen both of our economies.”
The Secretary also emphasized the role India plays in important global issues. As he said in his speech, “President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are committed, more than any other leaders before them, to building an ambitious partnership that benefits not only our two great democracies, but other sovereign nations working toward greater peace and stability.”
Having visited India several times in the last few months and previously served at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, I completely agree with Secretary Tillerson’s comment that “with India’s youth, its optimism, its powerful democratic example, and its increasing stature on the world stage, it makes perfect sense that the United States should seek to build on the strong foundation of our years of cooperation with India.” I am looking forward to helping the Secretary realize his vision for the U.S.-India partnership.
About the Author: Alice G. Wells serves as the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan