While delivering a speech at RIC in Jaipur on Tuesday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance emphasized the vital role that a strong India–U.S. relationship will have in shaping a prosperous and peaceful 21st century.
Addressing a diverse crowd, Vance complimented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visionary strategy to the country's growth. "I think today that PM Modi is a committed leader who has given careful consideration to India's future prosperity and security, not only for the remainder of his tenure, but for the next century," Vance said.
He added that the present time represents an important turning point in the contemporary era. "We are now officially one quarter into the 21st century, 25 years and 75 years to go. I strongly believe that the destiny of the 21st century will be defined by the power of the US-India partnership. I am very confident that if India and the US work together with success, we are going to have a peaceful and prosperous 21st century.". But I also think that unless we can work together successfully, the 21st century could be a very black time for all of mankind," he said.
Talking about global trade trends, Vance described rising change in the direction of President Donald Trump's leadership, which he thinks is needed. It's clear to me, as it would be to most observers, that President Trump, naturally, has a strategy to rebalance America's economic relationship with the remainder of the world," he said. He added that although these changes would be very significant, they are in favor of both the American and Indian people. "I believe this rebalancing is going to have tremendous advantages for American workers.".
It's going to have tremendous advantages for the people of India.
Vance was hopeful that a shared future would be built through concerted efforts. "Because our partnership is so critical to the future of the world, I believe President Trump's efforts, joined, of course, by the entire nation of India and Prime Minister Modi, will make the 21st century the best century in human history."
Touching on the criticisms of America's trade policies, he dismissed the notion that the Trump administration is out of touch with the times. "Critics have accused my President Trump of starting a trade war in an effort to bring back the jobs of the past. But nothing could be further from the truth," he said, adding that the objective is to have balanced global trade, particularly with partners like India.
Vance also responded with enthusiasm to the ambitious target both leaders declared to boost bilateral trade. "And when President Trump and Prime Minister Modi spoke last February about our countries planning to more than double our bilateral trade to $500 billion by the end of the decade, I know that both of them meant it," he stated.
Development in that direction is already underway. "In our Monday meeting, Prime Minister Modi and I made very good progress on all of those points," Vance said. "We are particularly looking forward to announcing formally that America and India have officially concluded the terms of reference for the trade negotiation."
He described the agreement as a key step forward in achieving the shared vision of the two nations. “I believe this is a vital step towards realising President Trump’s and Prime Minister Modi’s vision because it sets a roadmap towards a final deal between our nations.”
Concluding his speech on a positive note, Vance called for joint efforts: "I believe there is much that America and India can do together. Let's do it together," he said.
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