Meeting of U.S.-India Global Issues Forum

The governments of the United States and India held a meeting of the U.S.-India Global Issues Forum on May 17, 2005 at the Department of State in Washington. The U.S. delegation was led by Under Secretary for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky and Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran. The Forum was initiated in New Delhi in October 2002.

The two delegations held a productive exchange of views and discussed new and expanded areas for U.S.-India cooperation on global affairs. These included issues related to protection of the environment, sustainable development, protection of the vulnerable, combating transnational organized crime, and promotion of democratic values and human rights.

The Forum deliberations underlined the need for continued cooperation on protecting the global environment, including the use of clearer and more efficient energy sources. Recognizing the global ramifications of trafficking in illegal narcotics and persons, and their nexus with international terrorism and the illegal arms trade, the two governments reaffirmed their determination to enhance collaborative efforts in these areas. The dialogue explored further efforts by both countries to promote democratic values and human rights globally through the United Nations, the Community of Democracies and other international forums.

These discussions were held in the context of efforts by the United States and India to harness their transformed bilateral relationship to addressing together global challenges and key international issues.

For more information, please contact Christian Whiton (202-647-1038).