Open Skies Agreement Signing With Indian Minister Patel

Distinguished guests. Ladies and gentlemen. 

I want to thank His Excellency Minister Patel for his kind words and for his gracious hospitality. 

On behalf of President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and the American people, allow me to express my deepest appreciation to the people of India for this warm welcome. 

It is great to be here today, in the capital of one of the world’s great cultures… one of the world’s great democracies and a close and important partner of the United States. 

Ours is a relationship that has been transformed in recent years into a deepening partnership that extends into many areas… from our cooperation in civil space… to our shared security interests in fighting terrorism and promoting stability in Asia… to a stronger economic dialogue with the goal of promoting growth and prosperity for both of our Nations. 

Now we are adding the critical area of aviation to our new, enhanced bilateral partnership. 

In today’s world, aviation links are essential for connecting people and transporting cargo across the globe. And so, three months ago, Minister Patel and I met in Washington, D.C.  

We discussed the troubling gap that we both saw in the U.S.-India aviation relationship – a lack of sufficient direct air services that failed to do justice to the strong relationship between our two countries. We committed to addressing that problem – not in years, but in weeks.

And, thanks to the hard work of many dedicated individuals in New Delhi and Washington – we have succeeded. Today, we sign a landmark air services agreement that will completely open the skies between the United States and India. 

If prior experience is any indicator, this bilateral Open Skies agreement between India and the United States will stimulate new passenger and cargo services, new partnerships, innovation, and lower prices – to the benefit of our countries, our economies, our businesses, and our citizens. 

Indeed, several United States carriers already have announced new services. Delta Air Lines plans to begin a daily service between New York and Chennai while Northwest Airlines plans a new service connecting Minneapolis and Bangalore. 

And – most recently -- Continental Airlines has announced new service between Newark and New Delhi, which will be the first regularly scheduled nonstop to connect the United States and India. 

And we believe that Indian carriers will soon follow. 

New service is only part of the story, however.

As Secretary of State Rice noted during her visit to India last month, the Bush Administration’s position is clear: America is committed to helping India to become a major world power in the 21st Century. And a strong Indian aviation system is a core component of reaching that goal. 

That is why I want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions that Minister Patel has made.  

Although we have known one another only a few short months, already I consider him to be a valued friend and respected colleague.  

His clear vision and actions have established him as a leader in civil aviation not only here in India, but globally. The United States and the international community are watching with great interest and admiration the reforms that Prime Minister Singh and Minister Patel are making in aviation. 

Let me also acknowledge the critical efforts and support of our Ambassador to India David Mulford, and India’s Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen, and their staffs, in reaching today’s agreement.  

Finally, I want to acknowledge the negotiating teams in both Washington, D.C. and New Delhi and thank them for their outstanding work in bringing this agreement about in such a short time and, in so doing, in strengthening the U.S.-India relationship for years to come.