Namaste.

It was my honor to accompany President Obama this week to celebrate India’s Republic Day, the commemoration of the adoption of India’s democratic constitution in 1950. I was proud to attend as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus, and I was also honored to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia and my colleagues in the U.S. Senate.

As two of the world’s largest democracies, and with the incredible Indian American population that contributes so much to Virginia’s culture and commerce, it is critical for us to continue to deepen and broaden the existing framework of partnership and friendship between the United States and India.

During a series of productive conversations, President Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a deal that could clear the way for multinational corporations to build civilian nuclear power plants in India to provide clean power for the people of India. And, for the first time, the U.S. clearly expressed support for bringing India into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the chief trade group in the region.  

In my own conversations with Prime Minister Modi and officials from India’s government and industry, I focused on the need for India to make progress on efforts to ease red tape, regulations and legal hurdles that have prevented the U.S. and India from fully tapping the exciting potential of this economic relationship.

Many of the announcements made during our three-day trip were incremental, but they nonetheless represent genuine signs of progress. And it was thrilling to experience the real sense of optimism and enthusiasm for reinvigorating the U.S. relationship with India. I witnessed first-hand the strong personal chemistry between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi, and that will be very important as our countries work together to strengthen this vital strategic partnership.

I have posted several photos you might find interesting here, and the White House has posted a gallery of images from the trip here.

Chalein saath saath: forward together we go.

Regards --

Mark R. Warner