New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti visited Adani group’s Khavda renewable energy project – the largest in the world, in fresh signs of the conglomerate having moved past Hindenburg attack and winning new backing

“Inspired by my visit to the Khavda Renewal Energy Facility in Gujarat, where I learned about @AdaniGreen’s innovative projects advancing India’s zero-emissions goals. Sustainable energy is a cornerstone of environmental stewardship, and our bilateral partnership is key to shaping the solutions for a cleaner and greener future for the region and the world,” Mr Garcetti said in a post on X after visiting Khavda on July 16. He also posted pictures of the visit.

Inspired by my visit to the Khavda Renewal Energy Facility in Gujarat, where I learned about @AdaniGreen‘s innovative projects advancing India’s zero-emissions goals. Sustainable energy is a cornerstone of environmental stewardship, and our bilateral partnership is key to shaping… pic.twitter.com/ODaK7ipbkU

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) July 16, 2024

Adani Green Energy Ltd is developing the world’s largest renewable energy project of 30,000 MW on barren land at Khavda in Kutch, Gujarat. Built across 538 square kilometers, it is five times the size of Paris and almost as large as Mumbai city.

AGEL has operationalised 2,000 MW cumulative solar capacity or 6 per cent of the planned 30,000 MW, within 12 months of commencing work and the entire project is to be completed by 2030.

Group chairman Gautam Adani replied by posting a picture with Mr Garcetti and thanking him for the visit. “Grateful to @USAmbIndia for his visit to Adani’s 30 GW Renewable Energy site at Khavda and Mundra Port. Invaluable insights on geopolitics, energy transition and India-U.S. relations in an open and candid Q&A with Adanians.

Amazing to see his adoption of Indian culture, from kadak chai to celebrating holi, to playing cricket to speaking in Hindi and eating chole bhature every day!”

The visit and making it public is being seen as a sign of confidence the US government has in India’s largest infrastructure conglomerate.

This came months after US short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged corporate fraud and stock manipulation at Adani Group. Adani Group has repeatedly denied all allegations and has scripted a comeback story with most of its listed companies erasing losses that the Hindenburg report induced.

Adani Group has been instrumental in India’s strategic infrastructure initiatives, particularly outside its borders, where it competes directly with China’s extensive ‘String of Pearls’ and ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI).

Its acquisition of Haifa port in Israel, outbidding Chinese interests, highlighted its expanding global influence in the face of Chinese competition.

Hindenburg published the damning report on Adani Group just when it made the Haifa acquisition.

Senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani has alleged that a businessman with Chinese links commissioned the Hindenburg report. He claims Chinese spy Anla Cheng and her husband Mark Kingdon hired Hindenburg to produce the report on Adani.

Cheng is the founder and CEO of The China Project (formerly SupChina), an independent digital news, business, events, and consulting marketplace platform. Before this, Cheng ran a Family Office of the Asian Hedge Fund of Funds, Centenium Capital. The couple used Uday Kotak-owned Kotak Mahindra Investments Limited (KMIL) to set up a trading account for short-selling Adani shares, according to a SEBI notice.

Mr Garcetti also visited Adani’s head office in Ahmedabad, where he emphasised the significance of the US-India partnership and India’s growing importance in the geopolitical landscape.

Adani Group through its projects in infrastructure, mainly ports and power, has been competing with China across various regions, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Middle East, Israel, Africa, Australia and Myanmar. The group has also secured approval to build a port in Vietnam.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

In an interconnected world, “no war is distant anymore”, US envoy Eric Garcetti said on Thursday and asserted that one must not just stand for peace, but also take concrete actions to make sure those who don’t play by peaceful rules, their war machines “cannot continue unabated”.

“And that is something the US needs to know and that India needs to know together,” the ambassador said during a keynote address at an event here as he also pitched for forging a stronger partnership between New Delhi and Washington envisioning them together as an “unstoppable force for good in the world”.

His comments come in the backdrop of multiple ongoing conflicts in the world, including in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza.

In his address at a defence news conclave here, he described India-US ties as deep, ancient and increasingly broad, and said “today I think that culminates together as we look at the US-India defence partnership”.

The event was held at the Unites Services Institution (USI), Delhi, and attended by many defence experts.

“We don’t just see our future in India and India doesn’t just sees its future with the US, but the world can see great things in our relationship. In other words, there are countries on the sidelines hoping this relationship works. Because, if it works, it doesn’t just become a counterbalance, it becomes a place where we are developing our weapons together, integrating our training together,” Garcetti said.

In times of emergencies, whether that be a natural disaster or god forbid, a human-caused war, “the US and India will be a powerful ballast against the waves that will sweep over Asia and other parts of the world”, he asserted.

“And I think, we all know that we are interconnected in the world, no war is distant anymore. And we must not just stand for peace, we must take concrete actions to make sure those who don’t play by peaceful rules, that their war machines cannot continue unabated. And that is something the US needs to know and that India needs to know together,” the envoy said.

“In the past three years, we have witnessed countries which have ignored sovereign borders. I dont’ have to remind how important borders are, it’s a central principle to peace in our world,” he added.

The American ambassador to India underlined that he had come to the event not to teach, preach or lecture, but always to listen in and learn and remind of their “commonly shared values”.

“That when we stand on those principles and stand together, even in difficult times, we are friends, that we can show that principles are the guiding light of peace in our world. And together the world’s two largest democracies can enhance the security, the stability of our region,” he said.

Underlining various areas of commonalty in India-US and its potential, the envoy said, “India sees its future with America, America sees its future with India.” “Any objective observer will see that. We see it in our commerce, we see it in our people and certainly we see it in our security and future,” he added.

In his address, he also spoke of the historic state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June 2023.

“And a year after the prime minister came for that historic (visit), yes, one of the highlights of post-Independence India’s relations with the US, there has nothing that has died down in enthusiasm, the focus, the relationship of Americans towards India,” the envoy said.

Describing the essence of the bilateral ties as “commitment”, he said, “It is a relationship. It is true, it is trusting and it is tried and it is tested.” “Love is the only thing you can give more and receive more of it back. It is not a finite thing, it’s not a win or lose, it is not a zero-sum game. It is important for us as Americans and as Indians, the more we put into this relationship, the more we will get out (of it). The more we insist on kind of cynical calculations in the place of trusted relationships, the less we will get,” the ambassador said.

He said the US-India relationship is “wide and it is deeper than it has ever been” but it is “not yet deep enough”. But this senator or this member of the Congress concerned about an NGO, concerned about a religious group, concerned about a human rights issue, concerned about a thing that “sometimes we pretend don’t exist, but we must actually confront and find a good language to talk about”, he said.

“If you look at the circles that unite our values, they are not completely concentric, but they mostly overlap, I would say 80-90 per cent,” the envoy said. Garcetti said “our heads and hearts are aligned” but the question is can the two countries “move the feet together” and build that continued deep trust and have the outcomes that meet the security threats of this moment.

“Because if we only look inward, neither the US nor India in the Indo-Pacific will keep up with the pace of threats today,” he said, adding, “be they, state actors on your border that we are also concerned about, in this region and other regions”, be that climate change and the associated threats that US sees in this country. “The stakes for our technological innovation together, the stakes for our climate action together, the stakes for our military cooperation have never been higher because pace of change has never been faster,” Garcetti asserted.

He described the US-India defence partnership as one which stands “among the most consequential” in the world.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Progress in defence partnerships, critical emerging technologies and economic prosperity can be achieved when an “ambitious India” works with an “ambitious America” during Modi 3.0, U.S. envoy Eric Garcetti has said.

Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the ruling NDA coalition for their successful election, Mr. Garcetti said in Modi 3.0 is a time to turn dreams of the bilateral relationship into reality.

“I think in Modi 3.0, it’s a time for us to take our dreams and to really make them reality,” Mr. Garcetti said in the interview with PTI, the first by a senior Biden Administration official after the recent general elections in India in which after which Prime Minister Modi was voted to power for a historic third consecutive term.

“Whether it’s the work that we’re doing together on our defence partnership, whether it’s our critical emerging technologies, or whether it’s the work that we’re doing to build economic prosperity, I think those three things in Modi 3.0, we can look forward to seeing an ambitious India working with an ambitious America to achieve,” Mr. Garcetti said.

“I think 3.0 is all about how we make the U.S. and India, again, this relationship that can do good not only for our people but in the world, that can show the world that democracies are better than dictatorships, that a free and open Indo-Pacific is something that is a benefit to every human being,” he said.

Mr. Garcetti, who recently completed one year as the United States envoy to India, said that during Prime Minister Modi’s second term, “we saw a state visit, the visit of the President during G20, and over 150 agreements reached on everything from the seabed to the stars”. “Whether it’s in space, whether it’s in health, whether it’s in defence, whether it’s in trade, we resolved past conflicts and really moved forward with our ambitions in the future,” the 53-year-old former Mayor of Los Angeles city, said.

Mr. Garcetti, a close confidant of President Joe Biden is currently in Washington DC to attend the Select USA Summit, in which India has the largest delegation.

He will also address the U.S.-India Aviation Summit, the first in seven years.

Responding to a question on the Indian elections, he said, “First of all, what an impressive election to see a country of 1.4 billion people exercise their right to vote, to see the logistics, the security, the work that was done to ensure the largest democratic election in the world was awesome to see.” “Second, elections are all about people exercising their fundamental rights. It was wonderful for us to see that. We are the two largest democracies in the world,” he said.

Congratulating Prime Minister Modi, the BJP, and the coalition for their successful election, he said, “It certainly is a group of leaders that we know well, that we respect well, and we work with incredibly well.” “We can’t wait to get back to business. But I assure people, even in the midst of an election, the U.S.-India relationship didn’t take a pause and didn’t miss a beat,” he said.

“We continued that critical work, even in the height of the Indian election, as I know it will continue in the height of ours,” he said in response to a question.

Describing his ambassadorship as the best job in the world, he said he feels like the luckiest guy on the face of the earth.

“Personally, I have loved the warmth that Indians have received me with. I love my interactions with my Indian counterparts,” he said.

Underscoring that he has tried to promote two things, Mr. Garcetti said, “One is that this is a bigger relationship than just us. Whether we work together in Africa, Pacific Island countries, Southeast Asia, in the multilateral space, in delivering the best G20 ever, that when India and the U.S. are aligned, we’re an unstoppable force.” Secondly, Mr. Garcetti asserted that this is more than about governments to governments.

“What I have felt is not just my amazing interactions with the Prime Minister, with the Minister of External Affairs and other members of the cabinet, it’s been local people in small villages, in remote states, in places off the tourist map where I really have seen the soul of India alive and breathing and its ambitions,” he said.

He said his fundamental impression of India as a diverse democracy full of the “most generous, welcoming people anywhere on the face of the earth” hasn’t changed.

“It’s a place that is always in a constant state of flux, that is the crossroad of the past and the future together. What has changed is seeing on the ground what’s being actually built,” he said.

“When I arrived in India when I was just 14 years old, you know, it was an underdeveloped country that was struggling with infrastructure, could barely get the power there, and wasn’t connected to the international economy,” he said.

“It was a proud, independent nation, but it wasn’t yet prosperous. And what I can see now is that vision of prosperity for everyone, “ he said.

“I also see the empowerment of people who are the most creative, entrepreneurial, and also caring people that I’ve ever met, who want to help their fellow Indians do better,” he added.

“I also see the breakdown of kind of the insular look of India having to survive on its own, it’s now able to project itself into the world, whether it’s protecting the oceans, as we’ve seen in the West Indian Ocean recently, its piracy, whether it’s in development and health, manufacturing the world’s vaccines,” he said.

“Those are the sorts of things that, to me, inspire me that the India of tomorrow is different in its capacity, but it fundamentally hasn’t changed in its soul,” Mr. Garcetti said.

Oxon Hill:

The relationship between India and the US is not just “addictive”, it is “multiplicative”, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti has said.

Garcetti also said that the relationship between the two countries has never been so good. The Indian-American community is the most successful immigrant community in America.

He made these remarks on Monday at an event on the sidelines of the SelectUSA Investment Summit, to which the largest delegation is from India.

“This (India US) is a relationship that isn’t just additive. It’s not just the US plus India. It’s multiplicative. It’s the United States times India,” Garcetti said on the sidelines of the summit, to which the largest delegation is from India.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest-profile event in the US to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organisations (EDOs), and industry experts to make deals happen.

Garcetti was speaking at the event wherein India’s JSW Steel announced its plans to invest USD 140 million in Bayton, Texas.

“Now, Americans are getting more and more familiar with Indian brands and Indian companies… Together we’re investing in third countries, infrastructure, energy, climate solutions, empowering tomorrow’s prosperity,” Garcetti said as he announced investment from JW Steel in Texas.

“We are so excited that JSW Steel is announcing a USD 140 million investment in America, in Baytown, in Texas. JSW is one of the largest Indian investors in the United States, investing more than USD 2 billion here in this country, in Texas and in Ohio. They have seen tremendous return on their investment,” he said. This FDI would result in jobs for more than 800 American workers.

Garcetti also said that the relationship between India and the US has never been so good.

“We’ve never had a closer relationship with India. Americans of Indian descent are now about 1.5% of our population. And pay six per cent of the taxes in America. It is the most successful immigrant community in America,” he said.

“While the story used to be about American companies going to India to invest, which we still do,… increasingly we’re seeing this two-way street, a bridge in the Indo-pacific coming from India into the United States, savings steel mills, looking at mines that have been shut down, investing in electrolytes for electric vehicles of the future, the services, the health care,” Garcetti said.

Diane Farrell, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, from the Department of Commerce said India has the largest country delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit.

Divyakumar Bhair, Board Member, JSW Steel USA said that these investments would go into manufacturing high-end steel plates which are used for offshore wind, monopile, transition pieces, and towers.

“This will not only help realise the dream of clean energy for the generations to come in the United States but will also catalyse the local economies of Texas,” he said. JSW USA is part of the diversified USD 24 billion JSW Group. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Oxon Hill:

The relationship between India and the US is not just “addictive”, it is “multiplicative”, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti has said.

Garcetti also said that the relationship between the two countries has never been so good. The Indian-American community is the most successful immigrant community in America.

He made these remarks on Monday at an event on the sidelines of the SelectUSA Investment Summit, to which the largest delegation is from India.

“This (India US) is a relationship that isn’t just additive. It’s not just the US plus India. It’s multiplicative. It’s the United States times India,” Garcetti said on the sidelines of the summit, to which the largest delegation is from India.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest-profile event in the US to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organisations (EDOs), and industry experts to make deals happen.

Garcetti was speaking at the event wherein India’s JSW Steel announced its plans to invest USD 140 million in Bayton, Texas.

“Now, Americans are getting more and more familiar with Indian brands and Indian companies… Together we’re investing in third countries, infrastructure, energy, climate solutions, empowering tomorrow’s prosperity,” Garcetti said as he announced investment from JW Steel in Texas.

“We are so excited that JSW Steel is announcing a USD 140 million investment in America, in Baytown, in Texas. JSW is one of the largest Indian investors in the United States, investing more than USD 2 billion here in this country, in Texas and in Ohio. They have seen tremendous return on their investment,” he said. This FDI would result in jobs for more than 800 American workers.

Garcetti also said that the relationship between India and the US has never been so good.

“We’ve never had a closer relationship with India. Americans of Indian descent are now about 1.5% of our population. And pay six per cent of the taxes in America. It is the most successful immigrant community in America,” he said.

“While the story used to be about American companies going to India to invest, which we still do,… increasingly we’re seeing this two-way street, a bridge in the Indo-pacific coming from India into the United States, savings steel mills, looking at mines that have been shut down, investing in electrolytes for electric vehicles of the future, the services, the health care,” Garcetti said.

Diane Farrell, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade, from the Department of Commerce said India has the largest country delegation to the SelectUSA Investment Summit.

Divyakumar Bhair, Board Member, JSW Steel USA said that these investments would go into manufacturing high-end steel plates which are used for offshore wind, monopile, transition pieces, and towers.

“This will not only help realise the dream of clean energy for the generations to come in the United States but will also catalyse the local economies of Texas,” he said. JSW USA is part of the diversified USD 24 billion JSW Group. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

NASA will soon provide advanced training to Indian astronauts, with the goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station, a top American diplomat said Friday.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti made these remarks while speaking at the “US-India Commercial Space Conference: Unlocking Opportunities for US & Indian Space Startups,” hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and the US Commercial Service (USCS) in Bangalore.

“NASA will soon provide advanced training to Indian astronauts, with the goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station, hopefully, this year or shortly thereafter, which was one of the promises of our leaders’ visit together. And soon we will launch the NISAR satellite from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Center to monitor all resources, including ecosystems, the Earth’s surface, natural hazards, sea level rise, and the cryosphere,” Mr Garcetti said, according to a USIBC press statement issued here.

“You see whether it’s the pursuit of peace and the peaceful use of space, things like the Artemis Accord, we are hand in hand, arm in arm. When it comes to prosperity and jobs, which is a big part of this conference today, it can be produced by startups in this sector, good-paying, high-tech jobs for Indians and for Americans. Space is right there,” Mr Garcetti said.

The day-long event in Bengaluru garnered participation from senior officials from both the US and Indian governments, including Garcetti, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr. Somanath. S, representatives from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Government of India, as well as prominent leaders from the commercial space industry, industry stakeholders, venture capitalists, and market analysts.

“I must salute the visionary leadership that we have in both nations in India and the US for engaging in such an accord which looks at the moon as a sustainable place for all of us to come and work together,” Mr Somnath said in his remarks.

“The connection between the Indian partners and also the US partners in critical technologies and specifically in the space sector is really becoming stronger. And I’m very happy about that type of engagement and the options available to the industries and the US business indigenous to connect with India in the emerging space sector as well,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the prospects of US-India collaboration in space, USIBC president Atul Keshap described it as a new chapter in the US-India space partnership. This week has been particularly fruitful, with USIBC and USCS joining forces to champion these two iCET space deliverables, he said.

“The conference highlights the deepening synergy between our two free nations in pioneering space exploration and innovation by the leading democracies. Through strategic alliances and collaborative efforts, we’re on the brink of achieving extraordinary milestones and expanding the horizons of space exploration beyond what we once imagined,” Keshap said.

The US-India Commercial Space Conference underscores the importance of fostering strategic partnerships to drive innovation and propel the space industry forward,” said USIBC managing director Alexander Slater.

“This is the next step in USIBC’s continued commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation among leading companies and startups from both countries to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, job creation and technological leadership. It builds on our work in February when we hosted the second edition of INDUS-X in New Delhi, which promoted similar opportunities for innovation and cooperation in new and emerging defence technologies,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said America will send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station by the end of this year.

The NISAR project, a joint Earth-observing mission between US space agency NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is also likely to be launched by the end of the year, Garcetti said on Wednesday.

“We are going to put an Indian astronaut into the International Space Station this year,” he said. “We promised when PM (Narendra) Modi came (to the US in 2023) that by the end of this year, we will do this and our mission is still on track to be able to go in space this year,” he said.

The US ambassador was speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark the 248th Independence Day of the United States.

He said both India and the US should look at coordinating research and critical emerging technology so that they can increasingly leverage each other’s strengths.

The diplomat said India landed ‘Chandrayaan 3’ on the Moon last year at a fraction of the cost that the US incurred on a similar lunar mission.

“The US has some capacities that India still doesn’t have today. When the two are combined, both countries have those capacities,” he said.

On the civilian nuclear energy arena, Garcetti said after elections, the Indian government can address outstanding liability issues and move forward “arm in arm and hand in hand”.

Two sites in India – Mithi Virdhi in Gujarat and Kovadda in Andhra Pradesh – have been earmarked for US companies to build nuclear reactors.

However, the companies have raised concerns over the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010, which provides for prompt compensation to the victims for damage caused by a nuclear incident through a no-fault liability regime. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday said efforts should be made to ensure that every section of society including ethnic or religious minorities feels that it has an equal stake in a country’s democracy.

Replying to a question on concerns around communal overtones of the ongoing election campaign in India and its impact on the Indo-US ties, Garcetti said he will not tell anybody how to run a democracy, and added that Indians “will take care of their own democracy”.

“I will also say in broad terms that diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are not just (concerns) on election day. They are all the time. Democracy is a daily plebiscite,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event on diversity arranged by the US consulate here.

“We all have to work, like we do in the US, (to ensure) that everybody, whether it is an ethnic or religious minority, whether it is women or youth, whether it is the poor, all feel that they have an equal stake in the democracy,” he added.

Complaints have been made to the Election Commission of India by some political parties about the alleged communal nature of messaging during the ongoing elections.

Asked about India’s decision to declare state mourning following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Mr Garcetti said he respects nations and their relationships, and in times of tragedies, the best thing a country can do is to comfort.

Amid widespread protests on American college campuses against the situation in the Gaza strip and reports of some Indian students facing action by their universities, Mr Garcetti said he wants to assure Indian parents that the safety of their kids will be taken care of, and added that the US loves Indian students.

Last year India became the biggest source destination for students across the world and a fourth of foreign students in American universities are from India, the ambassador noted.

The career politician-turned-diplomat said it was natural for students to have opinions, and as long as protests were peaceful, there was no need to worry.

He also assured Indian students that they will get their visas in time before academic sessions begin, and all five visa-issuing centres were making efforts to ensure the same.

Mr Garcetti said it has been a great week for Indo-US relations, pointing to the first shipment of the jointly developed malaria vaccine being sent to Africa, and added that when the two countries come together, they can help the world and every human lead a better life. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, celebrated his one-year anniversary in the role, reflecting on his remarkable journey and accomplishments during his tenure.

“I never dreamed I’d have the honour and privilege of representing my country here in India, but what a year it’s been,” remarked Garcetti, expressing gratitude for the opportunity.

Throughout the past year, Garcetti has traversed across 22 states and union territories, fostering friendships, receiving notable gifts, and savouring the diverse culinary offerings.

“From Mumbai to Kohima, I picked up some amazing friends, received incredible gifts, and of course, enjoyed some great food,” he recounted, highlighting the enriching experiences of his travels.

One year as U.S. Ambassador to India! What a ride it’s been – a whirlwind of diplomacy and deepening friendships! From diving into vibrant cultures to strengthening the bond between our nations, every moment has been incredible. But it’s the warmth of the people and our shared… pic.twitter.com/YJWxobacCK

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) May 13, 2024

Trade emerged as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, with Garcetti noting, “It was a banner year for trade,” emphasising the substantial volume of trade, valued at nearly USD 200 billion, and efforts to reduce tariffs to promote economic growth. “That’s a lot of almonds for a lot of mangoes,” Garcetti quipped, showcasing the magnitude of trade exchanges between the two nations.

In the realm of India-US defence cooperation, Garcetti celebrated record military exercises aimed at enhancing peace and interoperability between the United States and India. “From the seabed to the stars, the India-US relationship is reaching new heights,” he affirmed, highlighting collaborations in space exploration, including the joint development of a satellite set to launch later in the year.

Environmental sustainability emerged as another focal point, with Garcetti commending joint efforts to expand climate resilience and solutions, such as financing 10,000 new electric buses and establishing the largest solar manufacturing plant in southern India with US assistance. “We’re making sure we walk the green walk, not just the green talk,” he asserted, underscoring commitments to environmental stewardship.

Addressing healthcare cooperation, Garcetti highlighted collaborative endeavours in vaccine development for diseases like dengue and malaria, showcasing the shared commitment to global health security. Furthermore, he lauded efforts to streamline visa processing, significantly reducing wait times and increasing the number of visas issued, making Indians the leading source of international students.

As he concluded his remarks, the US envoy expressed optimism for the future of the US-India partnership.

“If we did this much in one year, I can’t wait to see what’s next,” he remarked, underscoring the enduring bond between the two nations and the limitless potential of collaboration.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington:

The Biden administration’s top diplomat in New Delhi on Thursday dismissed concerns being raised in certain quarters about democracy in India and observed that in many ways Indians are better than the Americans.

At an event organised here by the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told the audience he was confident that “10 years from now India is going to be a vibrant democracy as it is today in terms of free and fair elections”.

“Again there’s things that probably are worse and there’s things that are better. They have a law, you can’t go more than two kilometers to vote. So there”ll be one guy who lives in the mountains as a monk (at) someplace. They will walk for two days to bring the voting machine, execute the vote,” he said, responding to a question expressing concerns over the status of democracy in India.

He said that during elections times in India, there are people who check trucks to make sure that nobody has cash going around. “There’s probably walk-in money, as they call it in some cities here in the United States, Philadelphia, that’s like a tradition where cash kind of gets you votes and things like that. So, I’ve been impressed with certain things they do that are better than us.” He, however, added there are things that “we keep our eyes on. And I just disagree that we don’t speak out about them”, “We put them out. It’s not the only thing. I mean, some people want us to only say that. But this is too important a relationship to spend all day long only saying that over and over. You’re not going to get anything else done. It’ll become a self-fulfilling prophecy that they will not be close to us. Whereas where we find the common ground, which I think is really human to human, very deep,” he said.

“You have a lot of leaders there who have come worked, been educated here, have an affinity. There’s a huge positive polling of Americans. I told the president before the state visit that Americans poll better in India than Americans do in America. They like us more than we like ourselves. That’s rare in the world today,” Garcetti said, adding that Poland is the only other country that comes close.

This is a huge advantage for the US, he said.

“… If you don’t know state governments in India, which are as powerful as the centre and are run by opposition parties, and there’s plenty of criticisms you can make, too, about other parties that have been in power. If you look at history in India, there’s not been some golden era where everybody’s rights have been respected,” Garcetti said.

“America’s role is to stand up for the principles and the values that we have, to never retreat from those and talk about them. But is the relationship only that and those points of conflict? Absolutely not. It would be bad diplomacy, it would be bad policy. But in my heart, 100 percent, I believe, not only will this still continue to be one of the world’s most vibrant democracies,” Garcetti said.

“I 100 percent believe we can trust this relationship. It’s going to be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century, the US and India together,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)