President Reagan's Remarks at Prime Minister Gandhi of India State Visit on July 29, 1982

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States and Mrs. Reagan, yes, ladies and gentlemen, the national anthems of the Republic of India and the United States, you, you, you. Oh, Prime Minister Gandhi. Nancy and I are delighted to welcome you to the White House and let me add a personal note. It's good to see you here. again as leader of the great Indian democracy, which gives us a unique opportunity to expand and deepen the dialogue that we began last fall in Mexico. Through our conversations we can help achieve renewed recognition of the mutual importance of strong and constructive India-India ties.

United States, in searching for words to describe the focus of your

visit

to Washington this week, I came across a

state

ment that you had made in Delhi when Roy Jenkins

visit

ed in 1980 and at that time you said that the great need in the world today is to define the national interest that contributes to greater harmony, greater equality and justice and greater stability in the world. That is more than an eloquent description of an enlightened national interest, it can also serve to describe the fundamentals of the relationship between the United States and India, a relationship. We seek to reaffirm this week that strengthening that racial relationship based on better understanding is particularly important at this time.

His father once said that the basic fact today is the tremendous pace of change in human life that the conflicts and tensions of the 1980s brought about. New challenges would be sought for our countries and for all nations, as India and the United States do, freedom in a more stable, secure and prosperous world. As leaders of the world's two largest democracies, sharing common ideals and values, we can learn a lot from each other by discussing our concerns. and exploring national purposes from this understanding can lead to greater confidence in each other's role on the world stage and a rediscovery of how important we are to each other.

Prime Minister Gandhi, we recognize that there have been differences between our two countries, but these should not obscure everything. that we have in common because we are both strong, proud and independent nations guided by our own perceptions of our national interests. We both wish for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean area and an early end to the occupation of Afghanistan. We both seek an equitable peace. in the Middle East and an honorable solution to the Iran-Iraq conflict, we both seek a constructive approach to International Economic Cooperation by taking advantage of the strong ties that are still being forged between the economies of the United States and India, beyond what India and the United States is United by the strongest and most sacred bond of all practices of the democratic freedoms that its government denies to many people.

My devout hope is that during this visit we can weave all these threads of common interest into a new and better understanding between our two countries. Welcome to the United States Mr.

president

and mrs. Reagan, for me every trip is an adventure and I can say that this is an adventure in search of understanding and friendship. It is difficult to imagine two nations more different than our own as history progresses. Your country is young over the years it has lasted. incomparable attraction for the adventurous and bold for the talented as well as for the persecuted has represented opportunity and freedom the efforts of the first pioneers the fight for human values ​​the union of different races has allowed it to retain its enthusiasm and dynamism of youth with leadership and high ideals has become a great power today its role in world affairs is incomparable every word and action of the

president

is observed and weighed and has global repercussions India is an ancient country and history weighs heavily on us the The character of its people is formed by the best talent from their varied experiences.

The circumstances of its current development are overshadowed by years of colonialism and exploitation. However, our ancient philosophy has resisted all attacks, absorbing newcomers, adapting ideas and cultures. developed resistance and resilience in India our concern With construction and development our problem is not to influence others but to consolidate our politics and economy. We believe in freedom with a passion that only those who have been denied it can understand. We believe in equality because many in our country were for so long. Deprived of this, we believe in the value of the human being because that is the foundation of our democracy and our work for development which is the framework of our national programs.

We do not have any global interest but we are deeply interested in the world and whether the issues We still cannot get involved in power groups that would not benefit us or promote world peace. Our hand of friendship is extended to all. One friendship does not interfere with another. This is not a new position, that has been my policy. Since I became

prime

minister

in 1966, no two countries can have the same angle of vision, but each can try to appreciate the other's points of view. Our effort must be to find a common area, no matter how small, on which to build and improve cooperation.

I take this opportunity to say how much we in India value the help we have received from the United States in wonderful tasks. I look forward to my conversations with you, sir. president and meet the lovely lady. Reagan, I thank you, Mr. President for her kind invitation for her welcome and her kind words. I bring to the first lady and the great American people the sincere greetings and good wishes of the governments and people of India.