Roaming Roemer

As Ambassador, I spend much time explaining the win-win benefits of the U.S.-India economic and commercial relationship to Indians, Indian businesses, and Indian government officials. Yet, this same effort must be done in the United States so it gave me great pleasure to meet with over 100 business leaders in Chicago as a guest of the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs. I discussed the many reasons why President Obama was correct in elevating our bilateral relationship with India to a global strategic partnership with the U.S. and highlighted the many attractions that India has to offer the companies in the audience that are exploring entering the Indian market. For American companies, if you can be patient and come to India with a long-term strategy, you can be very successful.

Spending one hour with the women of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) leaves you with great respect for the organization and all that these incredible women have accomplished. Starting with precious little, yet utilizing their talent, ambition, and energy, the members are true entrepreneurs that have become successful small business owners and shareholders. Even more impressive is their self-confidence to be able to handle any problem that comes their way and their willingness to share their experiences and help out others. They truly prove the benefits of empowering women since when women do better, their children, families, and communities do better. I salute their success.

Meeting with the 25 business leaders at CII and with Gautam Adani in Ahmedabad highlights the importance of targeting other cities in addition to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad to foster economic cooperation between our two countries. The business that can take place between our two countries in Gujarat demonstrates the win-win proposition that increased commerce brings. At a lunch with CII, the managing director of Dishman Pharmaceuticals explained how his U.S. facility employs 500 American workers in the U.S. Opportunities abound throughout Gujarat for American businesses in such sectors as ports, clean energy, infrastructure, education, and pharmaceuticals, to name a few. We can and will do much more to make American businesses aware of the many possibilities to do business in this state.

When I first arrived in India two years ago, the most common question I received was, “What is the next big thing in the U.S. – India strategic partnership?” The answer is, “There is no one thing.” We have a global partnership today with India. Over the past several years, our partnership has expanded and broadened onto the world stage and we are now collaborating in almost every field of human endeavor. We are working extremely closely on a security partnership sharing intelligence, sharing best practices, and sharing David Headley. We can cooperate in civil space and defense due to President Obama’s leadership in reforming our export control regime and removing Indian entities from our restricted lists. There is the possibility for $10-12 billion in defense sales in the next few years (C-17s. C-130Js, Apache helicopters, etc.). Yet, our defense cooperation is not just about military sales. It is about joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and professional military education that we conduct together, which is improving our capabilities in bringing humanitarian assistance to people in need, keeping shipping lanes open, and providing security to the region. Maritime security and anti-piracy efforts can grow. Two-way trade was up 30 percent in 2010 with opportunities for more in clean energy, technology, infrastructure, and services to name a few. We are partnering in health, education, and in third countries like Afghanistan and in Africa. The progress the U.S.-India global partnership has made under President Obama and Prime Minister Singh’s leadership has brought our two countries together in ways that were unthinkable just a decade ago. With our shared values and shared interests, our two powerful democracies have an opportunity to shape the world in a very positive way.

We have enjoyed fantastic relations and a number of successful events this past year with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) at our side. They were there for many of the key moments during President Obama’s visit; they gave us wonderful support for our National Day reception; and they were strong advocates during our great showing at Aero India in Bangalore. Chairman Dinesh Keskar and Director Ajay Singha have done superb work so it gave me great pleasure to be the keynote speaker in Dinesh’s last event as the AmCham chairman at the AmCham’s 19th annual general meeting April 29. AmCham’s efforts play an important role in creating American jobs, achieving the President’s National Export Initiative, and championing American business interests. These are our Mission’s primary economic objectives to increase U.S. exports and produce more jobs for Americans. We are fortunate to have such a great partner in AmCham assisting us in our efforts.

You could feel the excitement in the air for American businesses at my reception at the ITC Windsor before the opening of Aero India.  American companies were leading the way at the biggest Aero India show in its history with the largest delegation and almost 50 exhibitors at our first ever U.S. Pavilion at Aero India.  American companies large and small were represented with the most innovative and sophisticated of products.  Secretary Locke and I were able to test Boeing and Lockheed Martin simulators, see GE engines that power so many of the aircraft on display at Aero India, and feel the protection of TenCate’s flame resistant material and suits.  It is not only the big airplanes and products, but the software, technology systems, braking components, and engines that also produce jobs in America.  The quality and reliability of these products with the most up-to-date technology will be great additions for the Indian armed forces as it continues to upgrade older equipment with newer models as well as expand its capabilities with new equipment.

Over all, it was a great week for me to have meetings with Members of Congress, work on interagency coordination in our government, and reconnect with fellow ambassadors.

Secretary Clinton’s Remarks  |  JCS Chairman Admiral Mullen’s Remarks |  USAID Administrator Shah’s Remarks |  Video

One of the more enjoyable (and time consuming!) responsibilities of my job as the U.S. Ambassador to India is the constant stream of visitors with whom I have the opportunity to meet.  In a typical week, I will meet with religious leaders, business CEOs, community activists, other Ambassadors, think tank pundits, scholars, and many others.

In the past few days, I have met with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Cummins CEO Tim Solso, the Bhutanese Ambassador to India, and the U.S. – India Political Action Committee (USINPAC).   The wide range of visitors exemplifies the breadth and depth of the U.S. – India strategic relationship, as we are working together across almost every field of human endeavor.  It also illustrates the incredible people-to-people ties between our two countries that are the foundation of our relationship.

With increasing trade between our businesses, more students studying in both our countries, additional Fulbright-Nehru scholars teaching our students, growing scientific exchanges between our scientists, and much more, our people-to-people ties will continue to drive our relationship to new heights.  What other ways can we expand our people-to-people ties?

As our 16th President Abraham Lincoln said, “As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.” This was true when Lincoln said it about 150 years ago, and it is true in 2011. Today, I spent the morning speaking to students at the American Embassy School about how as the world is rapidly changing, our thinking must also change. We discussed what President Obama’s visit to India means for our two countries and how our strategic regional approach will help meet the challenges facing our countries today. We also discussed how some of today’s global trends: 1) the rise of the Indian middle class; 2) the impact of transnational actors and actions; 3) and a shift in focus from the Atlantic to the Pacific will affect not only our global interests and policy – but the future of the students in high school today. I received plenty of tough and insightful questions from the audience – questions about WikiLeaks, Pakistan concerns, and lack of trade access to Indian markets. Send me your questions and I will try to respond.

This past week we hosted a reception for “Vital Voices” at Roosevelt House, with close to 400 women from all over Asia, to highlight empowerment, human rights, and economic opportunity for women. 

I met with women from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Nepal.  People spoke eloquently about their personal stories in their home countries and how important it is to share best practices.  When women succeed, their children succeed, their communities do better, and the world does better.  As we continue to practice a US policy that takes a regional and strategic approach to challenges in Asia, this evening’s inspiration will last a long time. Tell me what issues you believe are the most important for India’s long term development.