AAWAJ AAWAM KI

New Delhi: Text of US President Barack Obama's address to the joint session> of India's parliament made at its Central Hall on Monday:>> Mr। Vice President, Madame Speaker, Mr। Prime Minister, Members of the Lok> Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and most of all, the people of India।>> I thank you for the great honor of addressing the representatives of more> than one billion Indians and the world's largest democracy. I bring the> greetings and friendship of the world's oldest democracy-the U.S.A,> including nearly three million proud and patriotic Indian Americans.>> Over the past three days, my wife Michelle and I have experienced the beauty> and dynamism of India and its people. From the majesty of Humayun's Tomb to> the advanced technologies that are empowering farmers and women who are the> backbone of Indian society.>> From a Diwali celebration with schoolchildren to the innovators who are> fueling India's economic rise. From the university students who will chart> India's future, to you-leaders who helped to bring India to this moment of> promise.>> At every stop, we have been welcomed with the hospitality for which Indians> have always been known. So to you and the people of India, on behalf of me,> Michelle and the American people, please accept our deepest thanks. Bahoot> dhanyavad.>> I am not the first American president to visit India. Nor will I be the> last. But I am proud to visit India so early in my presidency. It is no> coincidence that India is my first stop on a visit to Asia, or that this has> been my longest visit to another country since becoming President.>> For in Asia and around the world, India is not simply emerging; India has> already emerged. And it is my firm belief that the relationship between the> United States and India-bound by our shared interests and values-will be one> of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. This is the partnership I> have come here to build. This is the vision that our nations can realize> together.>> My confidence in our shared future is grounded in my respect for India's> treasured past-a civilization that has been shaping the world for thousands> of years. Indians unlocked the intricacies of the human body and the> vastness of our universe. And it is no exaggeration to say that our> information age is rooted in Indian innovations-including the number zero.>> India not only opened our minds, she expanded our moral imagination. With> religious texts that still summon the faithful to lives of dignity and> discipline. With poets who imagined a future "where the mind is without fear> and the head is held high." And with a man whose message of love and justice> endures-the Father of your Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.>> For me and Michelle, this visit has therefore held special meaning.> Throughout my life, including my work as a young man on behalf of the urban> poor, I have always found inspiration in the life of Gandhiji and in his> simple and profound lesson to be the change we seek in the world. And just> as he summoned Indians to seek their destiny, he influenced champions of> equality in my own country, including a young Martin Luther King. After> making his pilgrimage to India a half century ago, Dr. King called Gandhi's> philosophy of non-violent resistance "the only logical and moral approach"> in the struggle for justice and progress.>> So we were honored to visit the residence where Gandhi and King both> stayed-Mani Bhavan. We were humbled to pay our respects at Raj Ghat. And I> am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as President of> the United States, had it not been for Gandhi and the message he shared with> America and the world.>> An ancient civilization of science and innovation. A fundamental faith in> human progress. This is the sturdy foundation upon which you have built ever> since that stroke of midnight when the tricolor was raised over a free and> independent India. And despite the skeptics who said that this country was> simply too poor, too vast, too diverse to succeed, you surmounted> overwhelming odds and became a model to the world.>> Instead of slipping into starvation, you launched a Green Revolution that> fed millions. Instead of becoming dependent on commodities and exports, you> invested in science and technology and in your greatest resource-the Indian> people. And the world sees the results, from the supercomputers you build to> the Indian flag that you put on the moon.>> Instead of resisting the global economy, you became one of its> engines-reforming the licensing raj and unleashing an economic marvel that> has lifted tens of millions from poverty and created one of the world's> largest middle classes.>> Instead of succumbing to division, you have shown that the strength of> India-the very idea of India-is its embrace of all colors, castes and> creeds. It's the diversity represented in this chamber today. It's the> richness of faiths celebrated by a visitor to my hometown of Chicago more> than a century ago-the renowned Swami Vivekananda. He said that, "holiness,> purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the> world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted> character.">> And instead of being lured by the false notion that progress must come at> the expense of freedom, you built the institutions upon which true democracy> depends-free and fair elections, which enable citizens to choose their own> leaders without recourse to arms; an independent judiciary and the rule of> law, which allows people to address their grievances; and a thriving free> press and vibrant civil society which allows every voice to be heard. And> this year, as India marks 60 years with a strong and democratic> constitution, the lesson is clear: India has succeeded, not in spite of> democracy; India has succeeded because of democracy.>> Just as India has changed, so too has the relationship between our two> nations. In the decades after independence, India advanced its interests as> a proud leader of the nonaligned movement. Yet too often, the United States> and India found ourselves on opposite sides of a North-South divide and> estranged by a long Cold War. Those days are over.>> Here in India, two successive governments led by different parties have> recognized that deeper partnership with America is both natural and> necessary. In the United States, both of my predecessors-one Democrat, one> Republican-worked to bring us closer, leading to increased trade and a> landmark civil nuclear agreement.>> Since then, people in both our countries have asked: what next? How can we> build on this progress and realize the full potential of our partnership?> That is what I want to address today-the future that the United States seeks> in an interconnected world; why I believe that India is indispensable to> this vision; and how we can forge a truly global partnership-not in just one> or two areas, but across many; not just for our mutual benefit, but for the> world's.>> Of course, only Indians can determine India's national interests and how to> advance them on the world stage. But I stand before you today because I am> convinced that the interests of the United States-and the interests we share> with India-are best advanced in partnership.>> The United States seeks security-the security of our country, allies and> partners. We seek prosperity-a strong and growing economy in an open> international economic system. We seek respect for universal values. And we> seek a just and sustainable international order that promotes peace and> security by meeting global challenges through stronger global cooperation.>> To advance these interests, I have committed the United States to> comprehensive engagement with the world, based on mutual interest and mutual> respect. And a central pillar of this engagement is forging deeper> cooperation with 21st century centers of influence-and that includes India.> This is why I believe that India and America are indispensable partners in> meeting the challenges of our time.>> Since taking office, I've therefore made our relationship a priority. I was> proud to welcome Prime Minister Singh for the first official state visit of> my presidency. For the first time ever, our governments are working together> across the whole range of common challenges we face. And let me say it as> clearly as I can: the United States not only welcomes India as a rising> global power, we fervently support it, and we have worked to help make it a> reality.>> Together with our partners, we have made the G20 the premier forum for> international economic cooperation, bringing more voices to the table of> global economic decision-making, including India. We have increased the role> of emerging economies like India at international financial institutions. We> valued India's important role at Copenhagen, where, for the first time, all> major economies committed to take action to confront climate change-and to> stand by those actions. We salute India's long history as a leading> contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions. And we welcome India as> it prepares to take its seat on the United Nations Security Council.>> In short, with India assuming its rightful place in the world, we have an> historic opportunity to make the relationship between our two countries a> defining partnership of the century ahead. And I believe we can do so by> working together in three important areas.>> First, as global partners we can promote prosperity in both our countries.> Together, we can create the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future. With my> visit, we are now ready to begin implementing our civil nuclear agreement.> This will help meet India's growing energy needs and create thousands of> jobs in both our countries.>> We need to forge partnerships in high-tech sectors like defense and civil> space. So we have removed Indian organizations from our so-called "entity> list." And we'll work to reform our controls on exports. Both of these steps> will ensure that Indian companies seeking high-tech trade and technologies> from America are treated the same as our closest allies and partners.>> We can pursue joint research and development to create green jobs; give> Indians more access to cleaner, affordable energy; meet the commitments we> made at Copenhagen; and show the possibilities of low-carbon growth.>> Together, we can resist the protectionism that stifles growth and> innovation. The United States remains-and will continue to remain-one of the> most open economies in the world. And by opening markets and reducing> barriers to foreign investment, India can realize its full economic> potential as well. As G20 partners, we can make sure the global economic> recovery is strong and durable. And we can keep striving for a Doha Round> that is ambitious and balanced-with the courage to make the compromises that> are necessary so global trade works for all economies.>> Together, we can strengthen agriculture. Cooperation between Indian and> American researchers and scientists sparked the Green Revolution. Today,> India is a leader in using technology to empower farmers, like those I met> yesterday who get free updates on market and weather conditions on their> cell phones. And the United States is a leader in agricultural productivity> and research. Now, as farmers and rural areas face the effects of climate> change and drought, we'll work together to spark a second, more sustainable> Evergreen Revolution.>> Together, we're going to improve Indian weather forecasting systems before> the next monsoon season. We aim to help millions of Indian farming> households save water and increase productivity; improve food processing so> crops don't spoil on the way to market; and enhance climate and crop> forecasting to avoid losses that cripple communities and drive up food> prices.>> Because the wealth of a nation also depends on the health of its people,> we'll continue to support India's efforts against diseases like tuberculosis> and HIV/AIDS, and as global partners, we'll work to improve global health by> preventing the spread of pandemic flu. And because knowledge is the currency> of the 21st century, we'll increase exchanges between our students, colleges> and universities, which are among the best in the world.>> As we work to advance our shared prosperity, we can partner to address a> second priority-our shared security. In Mumbai, I met with the courageous> families and survivors of that barbaric attack. And here in this Parliament,> which was itself targeted because of the democracy it represents, we honor> the memory of all those who have been taken from us, including American> citizens on 26/11 and Indian citizens on 9/11.>> This is the bond we share. It's why we insist that nothing ever justifies> the slaughter of innocent men, women and children. It's why we're working> together, more closely than ever, to prevent terrorist attacks and to deepen> our cooperation even further. And it's why, as strong and resilient> societies, we refuse to live in fear, we will not sacrifice the values and> rule of law that defines us, and we will never waver in the defense of our> people.>> America's fight against al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates is why we> persevere in Afghanistan, where major development assistance from India has> improved the lives of the Afghan people. We're making progress in our> mission to break the Taliban's momentum and to train Afghan forces so they> can take the lead for their security. And while I have made it clear that> American forces will begin the transition to Afghan responsibility next> summer, I have also made it clear that America's commitment to the Afghan> people will endure. The United States will not abandon the people of> Afghanistan-or the region-to the violent extremists who threaten us all.>> Our strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates> has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with> the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the> border region. The Pakistani government increasingly recognizes that these> networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistan-they are a threat to the> Pakistani people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent> extremists.>> And we will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist> safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists> behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice. We must also recognize that> all of us have and interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is> stable, prosperous and democratic-and none more so than India.>> More broadly, India and the United States can partner in Asia. Today, the> United States is once again playing a leadership role in Asia-strengthening> old alliances; deepening relationships, as we are doing with China; and> we're reengaging with regional organizations like ASEAN and joining the East> Asia summit-organizations in which India is also a partner. Like your> neighbors in Southeast Asia, we want India to not only "look East," we want> India to "engage East"-because it will increase the security and prosperity> of all our nations.>> And as two global leaders, the United States and India can partner for> global security-especially as India serves on the Security Council over the> next two years. Indeed, the just and sustainable international order that> America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective,> credible and legitimate. That is why I can say today-in the years ahead, I> look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a> permanent member.>> Now, let me suggest that with increased power comes increased> responsibility. The United Nations exists to fulfill its founding ideals of> preserving peace and security, promoting global cooperation, and advancing> human rights. These are the responsibilities of all nations, but especially> those that seek to lead in the 21st century. And so we look forward to> working with India-and other nations that aspire to Security Council> membership-to ensure that the Security Council is effective; that> resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced; and that we strengthen> the international norms which recognize the rights and responsibilities of> all nations and individuals.>> This includes our responsibility to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.> Since I took office, the United States has reduced the role of nuclear> weapons in our national security strategy, and agreed with Russia to reduce> our arsenals. We have put preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear> terrorism at the top of our nuclear agenda, and strengthened the cornerstone> of the global non-proliferation regime-the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.>> Together, the United States and India can pursue our goal of securing the> world's vulnerable nuclear materials. We can make it clear that even as> every nation has the right to peaceful nuclear energy, every nation must> also meet its international obligations-and that includes the Islamic> Republic of Iran. And together, we can pursue a vision that Indian leaders> have espoused since independence-a world without nuclear weapons. This leads> me to the final area where our countries can partner-strengthening the> foundations of democratic governance, not only at home but abroad.>> Now, in a new collaboration on open government, our two countries are going> to share our experience, identify what works, and develop the> next-generation of tools to empower citizens. And in another example of how> American and Indian partnership can address global challenges, we're going> to share these innovations with civil society groups and countries around> the world. We're going to show that democracy, more than any other form of> government, delivers for the common man-and woman.>> As the world's two largest democracies, we must also never forget that the> price of our own freedom is standing up for the freedom of others. Indians> know this, for it is the story of your nation. Before he ever began his> struggle for Indian independence, Gandhi stood up for the rights of Indians> in South Africa. Just as others, including the United States, supported> Indian independence, India championed the self-determination of peoples from> Africa to Asia as they too broke free from colonialism. And along with the> United States, you've been a leader in supporting democratic development and> civil society groups around the world. This, too, is part of India's> greatness.>> Every country will follow its own path. No one nation has a monopoly on> wisdom, and no nation should ever try to impose its values on another. But> when peaceful democratic movements are suppressed-as in Burma-then the> democracies of the world cannot remain silent. For it is unacceptable to gun> down peaceful protestors and incarcerate political prisoners decade after> decade. It is unacceptable to hold the aspirations of an entire people> hostage to the greed and paranoia of a bankrupt regime. It is unacceptable> to steal an election, as the regime in Burma has done again for all the> world to see.>> Faced with such gross violations of human rights, it is the responsibility> of the international community-especially leaders like the United States and> India-to condemn it. If I can be frank, in international fora, India has> often avoided these issues. But speaking up for those who cannot do so for> themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. It's not> violating the rights of sovereign nations. It's staying true to our> democratic principles. It's giving meaning to the human rights that we say> are universal. And it sustains the progress that in Asia and around the> world has helped turn dictatorships into democracies and ultimately> increased our security in the world.>> Promoting shared prosperity. Preserving peace and security.>> Strengthening democratic governance and human rights. These are the> responsibilities of leadership. And, as global partners, this is the> leadership that the United States and India can offer in the 21st century.> Ultimately, however, this cannot be a relationship only between presidents> and prime ministers, or in the halls of this parliament. Ultimately, this> must be a partnership between our peoples. So I want to conclude by speaking> directly to the people of India watching today.>> In your lives, you have overcome odds that might have overwhelmed a lesser> country. In just decades, you have achieved progress and development that> took other nations centuries. And now you are assuming your rightful place> as a leader among nations. Your parents and grandparents imagined this. Your> children and grandchildren will look back on this. But only you-this> generation of Indians-can seize the possibility of this moment.>> As you carry on with the hard work ahead, I want every Indian citizen to> know: the United States of America will not simply be cheering you on from> the sidelines. We will be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder.> Because we believe in the promise of India. And we believe that the future> is what we make it.>> We believe that no matter who you are or where you come from, every person> can fulfill their God-given potential, just as a Dalit like Dr. Ambedkar> could lift himself up and pen the words of the Constitution that protects> the rights of all Indians.>> We believe that no matter where you live-whether a village in Punjab or the> bylanes of Chandni Chowk…an old section of Kolkata or a new high-rise in> Bangalore-every person deserves the same chance to live in security and> dignity, to get an education, to find work, and to give their children a> better future.>> And we believe that when countries and cultures put aside old habits and> attitudes that keep people apart, when we recognize our common humanity,> then we can begin to fulfill the aspirations we share. It's a simple lesson> contained in that collection of stories which has guided Indians for> centuries-the Panchtantra. And it's the spirit of the inscription seen by> all who enter this great hall: ‘That one is mine and the other a stranger is> the concept of little minds. But to the large-hearted, the world itself is> their family.">> This is the story of India; it's the story of America-that despite their> differences, people can see themselves in one another, and work together and> succeed together as one proud nation. And it can be the spirit of the> partnership between our nations-that even as we honor the histories which in> different times kept us apart, even as we preserve what makes us unique in a> globalized world, we can recognize how much we can achieve together.>> Thank you, Jai Hind!, and long live the partnership between India and the> United States.">