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REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
U.S.-INDIA TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
OCTOBER 25, 2005
9:45 A.M.
I appreciate that gracious introduction by Ron Somers, President, U.S.-India
Business Council. Good morning, everyone, and thank you very, very much for that
warm welcome. The truth is, I’m the one who should be applauding you, for the
great work that you’re doing on behalf of the Indo-American relationship.
I appreciate the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for hosting us today. And many, many
thanks to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and
the U.S.-India Business Council, for organizing this unprecedented, and very
timely, conference.
Let me begin with a special welcome for our friends from India. Minister Baalu;
Minister Patel; Ambassador Sen; Mister Kanwar, President, FICCI; distinguished
business executives, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of President Bush, Vice
President Cheney, and the American people, I am honored to welcome you to
Washington, D.C.
Just across the street is the White House. It was there, in July of this year,
that President Bush greeted Prime Minister Singh with the words: “The
relationship between our two nations has never been stronger, and it will grow
even closer in the days and years to come.”
The President is right. But our relationship wasn’t always like that. For far
too long, the United States and India were too distant – politically,
geographically, economically.
One could hardly imagine such a scenario today.
We share a commitment to democracy, freedom, and human rights. We face
challenges that threaten our way of life, and the values that both our countries
hold dear. And, we share a common resolve and a common responsibility to meet
those challenges.
Economically, our ties continue to grow by leaps and bounds. The United States
is India’s largest trading partner, and largest source of foreign direct
investment. Prospects for greater economic growth in both nations make the
future expansion of trade a near certainty.
Trade and transportation go hand in hand, and I am proud that the United States
Department of Transportation will be supporting the Trade Policy Forum to be
held in India before the end of the year. Like this conference, this
multi-agency forum will be the first of its kind. And, it reflects the
commitment made by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh to work side by side
in strengthening bilateral trade.
But let’s face it. For greater trade cooperation to have a meaningful impact,
you have to have the right transportation infrastructure in place. As many of
you know, the development of transportation infrastructure is critical to
economic growth. The evidence is overwhelming that safe, secure, reliable, and
efficient transportation systems facilitate and stimulate commerce.
This is what this conference is all about. It’s an opportunity for Americans and
our Indian counterparts – in government and the private sector – to engage each
other, to grow and improve critical parts of our transportation network. Let the
record show that we have already made great strides.
In the air, the landmark Open Skies agreement that Minister Patel and I signed
in April of this year is already reaping dividends for airlines on both sides.
The agreement is expanding existing services, and introducing new services, to
meet the needs of the fast developing U.S.-India aviation market.
On the seas, our countries share a common goal of improving maritime security
while promoting the free flow of trade and travel. The improved quality and
maintenance efforts undertaken by the Indian fleet are impressive. And the
planned ship expansion is further evidence of India’s commitment to the
continued improvement in fleet quality and safety.
Safety is my top priority, and I look forward to finding new ways to expand our
cooperation in the area of road safety. Our experts at the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration have worked with India to establish a Highway Data
and Research Center in Hyderabad. We enjoy an excellent relationship with India
as we work to harmonize motor vehicle safety standards under a United
Nations-led effort.
Still, for all the great strides that we’ve taken, there is more to be done.
One such area is aviation infrastructure. Airports, air traffic control systems,
aviation safety systems, and aircraft certification. I believe that there is
much room for additional U.S.-India cooperation here. Largely as a result of
sound economic policies adopted by the Government of India and Minister Patel,
India’s domestic air traffic is rapidly expanding. Just as in the United States,
forecasts show substantial growth for years to come.
The challenge is creating the infrastructure needed to accommodate this growth –
safely, securely, and efficiently. I believe that there is much that our Federal
Aviation Administration can do in partnership with India’s Civil Aviation
Authority.
And so, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the FAA is opening its
first-ever liaison office in India. It will be located in New Delhi, and be
staffed full-time by a permanent FAA representative. The opening of this office
underscores India’s growing aviation importance in the region. It is a firm
commitment from President Bush to Prime Minister Singh of our deepening
relationship, a relationship based on trust and cooperation.
There is more to be done in our aviation relationship. And I urge rapid
conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding that will permit such cooperation to
move forward.
I see similar opportunities in the maritime and road transport sectors as well.
As our nations look to expand bilateral trade, and as India looks aggressively
to expand its maritime and surface infrastructure, our Maritime Administration
and our Federal Highway Administration stand ready to partner with their Indian
colleagues.
Indeed, we remain committed to partnering with India to develop its entire
transportation network. And I believe that the private sector is a valuable
partner where transportation investments are concerned.
Here in the United States, the surface transportation legislation that President
Bush recently signed into law provides new flexibilities and incentives for
private-sector investment in transportation, including tolling and road pricing.
These options will help encourage the development of a strong role for the
private-sector.
But public-private partnerships are proving much more than simply a revenue
source to pay for new roads. Greater partnership with the private sector offers
one of the best ways to introduce fresh and innovative approaches into the way
that countries build and maintain transportation projects.
I am delighted that India recognizes the value of the private sector as well, as
evidenced by the movement underway at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and
Bangalore. And I would encourage United States companies to explore
opportunities in India’s dynamic transportation sector.
India is indeed on the right path to creating a transportation system for
tomorrow. And with the help of the people in this room, the United States and
India are creating an international transportation network that can stimulate
and support broad economic growth in the new global marketplace.
I’d like to conclude by thanking you for taking time from your busy schedules to
be here, and for allowing me to share these thoughts with you this morning. I
look forward to exploring the vast potential that this conference holds for our
transportation relations.
Thank you very, very much, and now, we’ll hear from His Excellency, Minister
Baalu.
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