US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster on Thursday batted for India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and for the strong partnership to transform into a durable one.
Delivering his inaugural policy speech at think tank Carnegie India, Juster laid out five key pillars to achieve this — defense and counter-terrorism, economic and commercial relations, energy and environment, sustainable and inclusive development and regional cooperation.
Juster sought expansion of the bilateral military exercises into a multi-service one to enhance the ease of working.
“India and the United States already conduct a robust series of bilateral exercises. While these have been increasingly realistic single-service scenarios, it is time to consider a multi-service exercise, perhaps focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” he said.
He emphasised that the United States is more than just another supplier for India.
“Perhaps in the next year we can announce major agreements enabling cooperation in areas such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platforms, fighter aircraft production and the co-development of next generation systems, including a future vertical lift platform or Advanced Technology Ground Combat Vehicles,” he added.
Juster expressed concerns at “persistent trade deficit with India” and interestingly argued that India could “become an alternative hub for US business in the Indo-Pacific region” against China.
“A number of US companies have reported increasing difficulties conducting business in the largest market in the region — China. Accordingly, some companies are downgrading their operations there, while others are looking with great interest at alternative markets,” said the envoy.
We must build a partnership that is strong & durable, while also flexible & adaptive. Let us seize the opportunity before us, so that future generations look back on this period as a time when we truly transformed #USIndia relations- Amb Juster #USAmbPolicySpeech #First100Days pic.twitter.com/69Niln4hec
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 11, 2018
“A final point with regard to this pillar is that a strategic view of our economic relationship could eventually lead to a roadmap for a US-India Free Trade Agreement,” advocated the ambassador.
However, he cautioned that “economic sphere that is today an area of cooperation could become cause of irritation” too in ties.
Responding to a question, Juster denied reports that there would be self deportation of some 7,50,000 H1B visa holders waiting for green cards.
“That is not under consideration in this review. We are looking more broadly and prospectively how are our various categories of visas working and do they need to be refined,” he replied.
Such an honor to share my perspective on #USIndia relations &building a durable partnership for the 21st century at my inaugural policy speech.Thank you @MohanCRaja @CarnegieIndia for hosting us. Full remarks from my speech:https://t.co/vXe0Y0W3GF #USAmbPolicySpeech #First100Days pic.twitter.com/oGyBihaf27
— Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) January 11, 2018
Juster whose relationship with India began in 2001 as Under Secretary Commerce said US continues to talk to international partners for India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Re-emphasising India’s role as a leading power in Indo-Pacific, he stressed like-minded countries such as Japan and Australia should work together to ensure free and open region, where rule of law and democratic principles are reflected in a rules-based order and sovereignty and territorial integrity respected.
In today’s turbulent world, one constant is – and always should be – the strength of this #USIndia partnership - Ambassador Juster #USAmbPolicySpeech #First100Days pic.twitter.com/0zGBop65ZY
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 11, 2018
He also hoped for India’s increased economic development assistance in Afghanistan and sought to work with India to counter terrorism.
To a question he replied “Pakistan has not done all it could do to eliminate safe havens of terror” and Trump administration has zero tolerance to cross-border terrorism.
