Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed monumental events that will be recorded in history as a significant achievement in the US-India relationship. The civil nuclear agreement is a milestone for our countries and will dramatically change how we work together.

What is perhaps even more compelling is how the nuclear agreement is just one fine example of our strategic partnership. Since 2002, the US-India relationship has grown to encapsulate collaboration on a variety of issues ranging from regional cooperation, defence trade and joint exercises, health, agriculture, and commercial activity. Our relationship is characterised by immense dynamism and energy that continue to propel it further to achieve greater things.

Our economic and commercial ties, driven by our deep people-to-people ties, are becoming a key element of this partnership. Americans and Indians together have promoted a wide range of business activity from IT to high technology, from manufacturing to civil aviation, from durable goods to agriculture. Over the past few years, the US has become India’s largest trading partner. In particular, I want to highlight India’s growing aviation markets which are one of the most important destinations for US exports of aviation equipment and services, growing from $2 billion in 2006 to nearly $6 billion in 2007.

Further demonstrating our commitment to India, our governments and industry will come together at India Aviation 2008 in Hyderabad from October 15-18. The US is the official partner country for India’s first premier exhibition for civil and commercial aviation products and services. We will be represented by senior aviation policymakers and more than 200 industry leaders.

At the US Pavilion, we will put together an impressive display of American aircraft, technology, aviation products, and technical expertise to showcase the world’s most advanced aircraft and aircraft parts, aviation safety and security equipment, and communications and navigational systems.

One of the hallmarks of our aviation partnership with India is the Open Skies Agreement of 2005 which opened the door for direct flights by our carriers. From the US, you can now fly to India in about 17 hours or less on an American, Continental, or Delta Airlines flight.

Indians now have similar options with Indian carriers to fly direct or direct-non-stop on board Air India and Jet Airways and soon, Kingfisher Airlines. We welcome this increased choice and competition to meet the growing demand for passenger service between our countries, which is expected to reach a high of 1.5 million travellers in 2008.
In India, the civil aviation sector is one of the fastest growing areas of US-India high technology trade and economic engagement.

The US government and private industry see tremendous scope for greater cooperation in all fields of civil aviation. In 2007, the US Federal Aviation Administration, the US Trade and Development Agency, leading US aviation companies and the Indian ministry of civil aviation launched the US-India Aviation Cooperation Programme (ACP). The ACP is a unique strategic public-private partnership established to forge closer technical and policy cooperation between the US and India.