Remarks with Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant SinghSecretary Colin L. PowellWashington, DC April 6, 2001 SECRETARY POWELL: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Noisy location. But I've just had a very, very fine meeting with the Foreign Minister of India, who is also the Defense Minister of India. And he earlier met with President Bush. I think the fact that he met with President Bush, with National Security Advisor Rice, the conversations we have had -- and he is going off to meet with his other counterpart, Secretary Rumsfeld -- is indicative of the importance with which we view our relationship with India. A lot has been done in recent years. We look forward to building on all that has been accomplished. Our discussions covered economic issues, proliferation issues, trade issues, the issues applicable to the region, and I assured the Minister that we would be engaging between our two governments and our two departments at every level in order to make sure that we keep moving this relationship in a very positive and powerful direction. So, Mr. Minister, it has been a great pleasure to have you with us. Would you like to say a word? FOREIGN MINISTER SINGH: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I fully and totally endorse what my distinguished counterpart, the Secretary of State, has said. It has been a fruitful and a very rewarding series of meetings and discussions. I am honored that President Bush himself was gracious enough to find time to meet me and spend time with me. I am delighted that I had an opportunity to spend time with the National Security Advisor, and now with the Secretary of State. And he has very accurately covered the range of discussions, the direction in which India-US relations are set and to which the government, the Prime Minister and I are fully committed. Thank you. [end] Released on April 6, 2001 |
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