United States and India Successfully Complete Next Steps in Strategic Partnership

The United States and India have reached a milestone in their strategic relationship by completing the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP). The successful completion of this initiative clears the way for even greater engagement in a number of key areas in which cooperation has previously been limited or non-existent.

The Next Steps in Strategic Partnership, announced in January 2004, was designed to increase cooperation in civilian nuclear activities, civilian space programs, high-technology trade, and missile defense.

Since January 2004, cooperation under the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership progressed through a series of reciprocal steps that built on each other. These steps included expanded engagement on nuclear regulatory and safety issues, enhanced cooperation in missile defense, peaceful uses of space technology, and steps to create the appropriate environment for increased high-technology commerce.

To combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, relevant laws, regulations, and export-related procedures have been strengthened, and measures to increase bilateral and international cooperation in this area were instituted. These cooperative efforts were undertaken in accordance with our respective national laws and international obligations.

The successful completion of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership is an important milestone in the transformation of the relationship between the United States and India. In particular, completion of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership will enable the United States to expand the scope of bilateral commercial satellite cooperation, remove U.S. export license requirements for unilaterallycontrolled nuclear items to most end users, and revise export license requirements for certain items going to safeguarded civil nuclear power facilities.

Completion of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership demonstrates that President Bush’s and Prime Minister Singh’s vision of a U.S.-India strategic partnership is becoming a reality, and paves the way for greater cooperation on strategic, energy security, and economic matters. Our two nations are committed to building upon the progress made since January 2004 and working to identify new ways to expand the growing cooperative relationship.