Washington, DC
May 17, 2005

The Governments of India and the United States held a meeting of the India-US Global Issues Forum on May 17, 2005 at the Department of State in Washington, DC. The US delegation was led by Under Secretary for Global Affairs, Paula J. Dobriansky, and the Indian delegation by Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran. The Forum had been initiated in New Delhi in October 2002. 

The two delegations held productive exchange of views and discussed new and expanded areas for India-US cooperation on global affairs. These included issues related to protection of the environment, sustainable development, protection of the vulnerable, combating transnational organized crime, promotion of democratic values and human rights. 

The Forum deliberations underlined the need for continued cooperation in protecting the global environment, including the use of cleaner and more efficient energy sources. Recognizing the global ramifications of trafficking in illegal narcotics and persons, and their nexus with international terrorism and illegal arms trade, the two Governments reaffirmed their determination to enhance collaborative efforts in these areas. The dialogue explored further efforts by both countries to promote democratic values and human rights globally through the United Nations, the Community of Democracies and other international forums. 

These discussions were held in the context of efforts by India and the United States to harness the transformed bilateral relationship to addressing together global challenges and key international issues.