13 years ago
Highlights of Hillary Clinton and SM Krishna press conference;
What S M Krishna said:
What S M Krishna said:
- Secretary Clinton and I reviewed entire gamut of bilateral relations. We expressed satisfaction with progress in relationship and are optimistic aobut the furture.
- Emerging global trends reinforced shared conviction in importance of this relationship for future of our two countries and the shape of the world
- We have extraordinary frequency and depth in our engagement and dialogue
- I conveyed our concerns about IT companies and protectionist sentiments in US
- On cooperation over nuclear civil deal: Assured her of India's commitment to providing level playing field to all US companies within framework of national law and international obligations
- We discussed that Iran has rights as member of NPT (non-proliferation treaty) but must also abide by its obligations as non-nuclear weapon state under the NPT
- On Iran's nuclear program: India subscribes to and regularly implements UN security council resolutions. This issue is not a source of discord between our two countries.
- Afghanistan is at a crucial juncture. The most important signal that the international community has to give is a strong commitment to Afghanistan for it to be become economically viable and capable of defeating terrorism. We remain supportive of any reconciliation efforts that are fundamentally acceptable to us.
- Always a pleasure to be back in Delhi and to reaffirm what President Obama has called one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century
- Focused on preparing for strategic dialogue in June
- We have to continue expanding trade and investment between our countries
- I believe there is much more potential
- We should work towards having one of the world's largest trade partnerships
- Need to open our markets to greater trade and investments
- Our landmark civil nuclear agreement - Mr Krishna assured of level playing field for US companies
- We need to deepen our security cooperation
- We also look to India as partner in broad international effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons
- Need to stay united and to keep pressure on Iran-it has brought Iran back to negotiating table
- Welcome the progress India is making to reduce oil purchased from Iran
- Need to convince people not be recruited into terrorism, (which is) very much a dead end literally and figuratively when it comes to pursuing any kind of political or ideological aims. In democracies like ours, people should be in the marketplace of ideas.
- Terrorist groups that still operate out of Pak -we are committed to going after those who pursue direct threats to US, Afghanistan and our allies in Afghanistan
- 10 million award for info that leads to arrest of Hafiz Saaed shows our commitment
- We look to govt of Pak to do more - needs to make sure its territory is not used as launching pad for terrorism including attacks within Pak
- Hafiz Saeed bounty proves our solidarity with India
- India has been strong partner in persuading Iran to live upto its obligations
- Iran to demonstrate in June unequivocally the peaceful intent of its nuclear programme
- Commend India for the steps its refineries are taking to reduce imports from Iran
Hillary Clinton met Foreign Affairs Minister SM Krishna today.
Clarify FDI was not discussed, says Mamata govt to USUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's much-hyped visit to Kolkata today ended with the Americans stating that the issue of US investments in retail sector had come up during her meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, something that she and her government denied.
All-South Indian breakfast for Hillary in Delhi
The fare will comprise Rawa Upma with cashew nuts and fresh coriander, Medu Wadai and Podi with ghee for tomorrow's breakfast for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
The fare will comprise Rawa Upma with cashew nuts and fresh coriander, Medu Wadai and Podi with ghee for tomorrow's breakfast for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Hillary Clinton meets UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi
JUST IN: Hillary Clinton arrives at 10 Janpath for meet with Sonia Gandhi
Hillary Clinton is meeting PM Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi
Hillary Clinton arrives in New Delhi
US to treat Bengal as partner state for investment: MamataThe US has agreed to treat West Bengal as a partner state for investment in the changed political situation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here today.
After meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has landed in Delhi. She is expected to talk to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Mamata Banerjee: Told Hillary Clinton that Bengal can be developed into a new IT hub. We have many potential areas like tourism where we can allow PPP (Public Private Partnership), IT sector, manufacturing sector etc; we spoke about these areas.
Mamata Banerjee: We are part of the world, we will allow FDI where we need investment. We did not discuss any strategic issue. They did not raise Teesta, FDI.
Mamata Banerjee: We discussed our burning issues like Darjeeling and JungleMahal which are now settled, so that is a good situation... We discussed everything in details - it was an one hour meeting. I will be happy if we work together.
Mamata Banerjee: They said they will give full support for business development, they will invest...
Mamata Banerjee: We are small people, nuclear liability etc will not be discussed with us...
Mamata Banerjee: Teesta was not discussed at all.
Mamata Banerjee: I told her Shah Rukh Khan has become the brand ambassador ... So there is great scope of interaction between Hollywood, Bollywood and Tollywood and promoting the entertainment industry...
Hillary has promised investment in Bengal, says Mamata after meetingMamata Banerjee said Hillary Clinton praised her "passion for work" and promised investment for West Bengal at the meeting.
Mamata Banerjee: We have invited President Barack Obama to Kolkata.
Mamata Banerjee: I told her about the 150th Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, presented her with a copy of the Gitanjali and a book on the works of Swami Vivekananda.
Mamata Banerjee: We spoke of the financial difficulties the state was facing, the debt burden. She (Hillary Clinton) has assured us that the US will help us on the development front.
Mamata Banerjee: She spoke to us for one hour. She was accompanied by Nancy Powell and others. From our side, I was there with my Finance Minister Amit Mitra and senior bureaucrats.
Mamata Banerjee: Hillary Clinton has appreciated the 'passion of our work.'
Mamata Banerjee talks to the media after her meeting with Hillary Clinton: "Me and my team met her (Hillary Clinton). The discussion was positive, creative and concrete."
The meeting between Hillary Clinton and Mamata Banerjee has ended. Hillary Clinton has left the Writers' Building. She would now be coming to New Delhi, where she will meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
With namaste, Hillary Clinton meets Mamata, FDI on agendaA handshake and a namaste were exchanged between the US Secretary of State and the West Bengal Chief Minister at the Writers' Building in Kolkata this morning. The women - both on Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most powerful people - are meeting in a one-on-one.
Mamata Banerjee and Hillary Clinton are currently in a meeting at the Writers' Building in Kolkata and are expected to discuss issues like Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and the Teesta water treaty.
Hillary Clinton, Mamata Banerjee ahead of their meeting in Kolkata.
Hillary Clinton arrives to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
A member in the audience tells Hillary Clinton, "You have not changed, you have just got better."
A picture of Hillary Clinton letting her hair down. She responds to criticism saying, "When you have as much experience as I have, you either figure out how to deal with it...or you don't get out of bed in the morning. Criticism that comes with being in politics -you have to take it seriously but not personally."
Hillary Clinton on criticism: "When you have as much experience as I have, you either figure out how to deal with it...or you don't get out of bed in the morning. Criticism that comes with being in politics -you have to take it seriously but not personally."
Hillary Clinton on the famous photo of her with Obama tracking Osama raid in Abbottabad: When I saw photo, had no idea when it was taken. But later we thought the photo taken around the time when one of our helicopters had a problem. It was a very stress-filled moment. We had to get the women and children out of the house so they would not be in danger..very proud of what the Seals did for that. Hillary Clinton on Al Qaeda: We want to disable Al Qaeda. We believe Zawahiri (the new Al Qaeda) is in Pakistan. You have to go after those who are trying to kill you. You have to be focussed on that. I authorised 10 million award for Hafiz Saeed who was responsible for attacks in Mumbai. May take longer than we like but we will stand with you trying to make that happen. India and US are greatest rebukes to religious discrimination.
Hillary Clinton responds on Obama's ad against outsourcing jobs to India: It's been going on for many years...it's a part of our economic relationship with India. Advantages have benefited parts of our country...and there are disadvantages to improve skills of our own people. On the ad with Obama targeting outsourcing: it's an election campaign .. so there's need to talk about what is on people's mind. It's a legitimate issue. Obama has been very clear that we need to improve our own exports.
NDTV's Barkha Dutt asks Hillary Clinton on US President Barack Obama's ad against outsourcing jobs to India.
A schoolgirl asks Hillary Clinton another question on Iran.
Hillary Clinton on Iran: Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism. Like recent example in India. The problems with Iran go far beyond even its region. They were recently engaged with bomb building in Thailand. I want everyone to understand we have nothing against Iranian people. Obama has reached out to them since he came into office. He has reached out to its leadership...but so far we have had no reciprocity.
Hillary Clinton answers a question on Iran: "Arms race in region feared as Iran pursues nuclear program. Would also cause great threat to Israel. We wanted to persuade Iran to change its policy- it was already violating international obligations, was under international sanctions, was signatory to non-proliferation treaty. We have international consensus...pressure has brought Iran back to negotiating table...without sanction and pressure, Iran would not have returned to negotiating table. Reason why India, China Japan, etc who are primary purchases of Iran oil are being asked to lower their supply is to keep pressure on Iran. Saudi Arabia and others are putting more oil into the market. India understands use of diplomacy to resolve this threat and is working to lower purchase of Iran oil...we hope they will do even more. We believe this is part of India's role in the international community."
A young school student in the audience asks Hillary Clinton, "Why is US pressuring India to reduce oil import from Iran?"
After attending an anti-trafficking workshop, Hillary Clinton says, "I have been wearing a green band on the wrist that reads - cool men don't buy sex."
Hillary Clinton on running for President: I was very excited to run for President. I was very honoured and pleased with votes I got. But our system is very difficult to navigate, for men and women, but particularly for women. There are two races: money race and vote race. I am flattered (about possibility of running for 2016) but I feel it's time for me to get off the high wire. (I) would like to wander India without streets being closed, a lot of security.
A young woman from the audience asks Hillary Clinton a question.
Asked why women are not in top political positions in the US, Hillary Clinton says, "Women have held top positions politically in your country in a great display of women empowerment for decades. But you still have a lot of women who need to be educated, who don't have basic protection in families and communities to fulfill their own human destiny. We have broad base of education, but we still have a pretty hard glass ceiling that has not been broken at the presidential level. And we don't have commensurate percentage of women representation in Congress. Quotas for women has worked well here...but it would not work in my country."
Hillary Clinton in conversation with NDTV's Barkha Dutt
Hillary Clinton to NDTV: We've made it clear to the government that under the legislation that was passed, it would be difficult for US companies to participate. We're still discussing this and hoping there's a way to work it out.
Hillary Clinton to NDTV: We want to have a greater debate on the issues of FDI and civil nuclear cooperation.
Hillary Clinton to NDTV ahead of her meeting with Mamata Banerjee: I want to know from the Chief Minister of West Bengal here vision of the future... I come with a belief that India can compete with anybody, anywhere...
Hillary Clinton to NDTV: The more open India becomes over time..the greater the rise in standard of living and opportunity. But I also understand politics and how these decisions can be difficult. So I will raise US desire to open market to multi-brand detail. Enormous experience can be brought to India on supply-chain management, on developing relationship with small producers. The benefits may not be immediately perceived.
Hillary Clinton adds, "There's still double standards for women in politics. When I meet a woman who has broken through those barriers...whatever her background or political beliefs...we share a common band having gone through the electoral fire in politics."
"Always happy to meet with another woman leader (Mamata)," says Hillary Clinton. Both Mamata Banerjee and Hillary Clinton are on Time's 100 most powerful list.
Hillary Clinton on being thought of as formidable: "I don't think of myself as that but others do...it can be advantage sometimes or a disadvantage.
So why is Hillary Clinton in Kolkata before Delhi? The US Secretary of State responds, "Was in Chennai last time...coming from China to Bangladesh...seemed very appropriate to stop right here in Kolkata. Economic potential of East India is so great...but also its geo-political significance is being increasingly recognised. US wants to be partner with the entire country. This is my way of demonstrating our commitment to this part of the country."
Will need at least a week of dieting with carrot sticks and celery to recover from Indian food on this trip: Hillary Clinton to NDTV
NDTV's Barkha Dutt to Hillary Clinton: The argumentative Indian - but Bengalis are very argumentative and opinionated (loud cheers from audience). Hillary Clinton responds: "My husband and I are argumentative ourselves from time to time."
Hillary Clinton tells the audience in Kolkata: "I have probably been asked everything in my long and public life. So please feel free to ask me anything."
Hillary Clinton addresses a townhall in Kolkata
Hillary Clinton in Kolkata says, "The relationship between our two democracies is going to define the kind of future we have. Increasingly also, our strategic interests are aligned. India is taking on more responsibilities which is good news."
Hillary Clinton addresses a townhall in Kolkata. She says, "This is very exciting for me to have this chance to back in this wonderful city after so many years. I was last here in 1995 honouring the work of Mother Teresa."
Hillary Clinton has travelled 700,000 air miles since she became Secretary of State, to 95 countries, that amounts to 25 trips around the globe.
Kolkata fortified for Hillary Clinton's visitAll outbound and incoming flights from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport were halted from the time Ms Clinton's plane came on the radar till the point the former first lady and her long convoy left the tarmac.
Extremely tight security measures have been put across Kolkata during Ms Clinton's stay.Elite US security personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have taken over the complete security of south Kolkata's Taj Bengal hotel, where Ms Clinton is staying. A team of over 40 policemen including three combat teams is to remain posted around the hotel.
A scarf, Tagore's Gitanjali among Mamata's gifts for HillaryMamata Banerjee will gift the visiting US Secretary of State Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali and Gitabitan, and the collected works of Swami Vivekananda during the meeting.
Watch - Live and exclusive: Special We the People with Hillary Clinton at 9.30 am today on NDTV 24x7.
Foreign Direct Investment: Can Hillary convince Mamata?US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today at the Writers' Building in Kolkata.
Ms Clinton and the West Bengal Chief Minister are also expected to talk about the Teesta Water Treaty following the US Secretary of State's meeting on Saturday with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hillary Clinton holds a sari during an anti-human trafficking event in Kolkata that was held on Sunday. (Photo: Associated Press)
Ms Clinton is scheduled to meet the West Bengal Chief Minister shortly after 11 am today. She is then expected to arrive in New Delhi at around 3 pm. The US Secretary of State will meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi at their respective residences in the evening.
Ms Clinton is expected to explore investment opportunities in West Bengal and discuss the issue of Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail with Ms Banerjee today.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today at the Writers' Building in Kolkata. Ms Clinton is on a three-day visit to India - the last stop of her tri-nation South Asia tour that included trips to Beijing and Dhaka.
