Indo-US eco ties will hinge on five pillars, says Clinton

"We see the dialogue that we are embarking upon as extremely important and is based on the five pillars which are areas of strategic importance, agriculture, healthcare, science and technology and education," Clinton told reporters after meeting top Indian businessmen, including Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani.

The subjects of discussion ranged from climate change, promotion of green energy and initiatives to strengthening of bilateral trade ties.
The US is ready for ''new and even more promising relations'' with India, Clinton said on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists at the start of a five-day trip to India, Clinton said the Barack Obama administration was determined to cement bilateral ties further.

“We are entering a new and even more promising relations with India. We are looking ... to broaden and deepen our relationship,” she said.

She said the strength of the India-US partnership “ultimately rests on the deep and enduring ties between the Indian and the American people”.

Clinton said the problems of the 21st century demand a new mindset and a willingness to create partnership with governments but also beyond governments.
To a question if export of petro-products by Reliance to Iran figured on the agenda, Clinton said the issue was not discussed. "That is something we will look at later."
Discussions with India Inc on climate change and clean energy were "extremely productive" Clinton said, adding "the point was made that there is no contradiction between poverty elimination and moving on carbon emission".
She said the US and developed countries "have made mistakes that have contributed significantly leading to the problems that we face of climate change" and hoped that India would not repeat those mistakes.

"We are hoping that a great country like India does not make the same mistakes (that the US did)," Clinton said, adding "we believe India is innovative enough to deal with climate change" while simultaneously taking measures to eliminate poverty.
Clinton also and highlighted the country's great achievement in the telecom sector where it has leap-frogged over technologies to reach the level it has today.
Both governments were seized of the challenge posed by climate change problems and over the next few days, discussions would be held not only at the governmental level but also with the private sector on this issue, she said.

"There are creative approaches (to the climate change problem) and we will share it," Clinton said.
Describing the power-breakfast with India's corporate bigwigs as "exciting", she said among the issues discussed were increasing agricultural production, providing micro- nutrients to infants, the need for clean energy, working together of Indian and US pharma companies and universities.
Apart from Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani, others who interacted with Clinton included Jamshyd Godrej, Sudha Murthy, Ashoke Ganguly, Chanda Kochhar, Swati Piramal, O P Bhatt, R K Krishna Kumar and Amrita Patel.

In New Delhi, US officials would be interacting with their Indian counterparts on issues ranging from economic growth and development, climate change and education, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.
India and the US would jointly work on tackling global hunger and move towards clean energy in the future, she said.
Climate change and clean energy are two important issues that figure on Clinton's agenda. "Tomorrow, I will meet Indian scientists and innovators on green energy," she said.

Clinton, who arrived here Friday night, began the first full day of her visit by meeting the staff of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, which were among the landmarks ravaged by terrorists from Pakistan in November last year.

Clinton is staying at the Taj hotel, close to the Arabian Sea, as a mark of solidarity with those who were killed or wounded in that attack.

She said she was deeply touched to meet the staff of both the hotels and "to pay respect to the large number attacked.

"This hotel in this city suffered grievously and endured painful losses because of the extremists and violence visited on it.

"The great men and women who worked in this hotel and elsewhere in the city... (facing) senseless violence and helped save lives … they deserve our gratitude."
She underlined that the American people stood in solidarity with the people of India when the November terror attack unfolded on TV screens.

And referring to Friday's terror bombings in Jakarta, Clinton said it was a "painful reminder (that terrorism) is global, it is ruthless, it is nihilistic, and it must be stopped".
Clinton will fly Sunday to New Delhi where she said she will meet government leaders for discussions on the issues including economic growth, climate change, education, health care, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.