Ambassador to address U.S.-India relations

Ambassador Arun K. Singh will speak Friday about the relationship between India and the United States.

Singh is the current deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India to the United States in Washington and was India’s ambassador to Israel from 2005 to 2008.

Singh will discuss the topic “India and the U.S.: The Challenges of Partnership” at 5:30 p.m. in the India Studies House.

Sumit Ganguly, director of IU’s India Studies Program, invited Singh to speak at IU.

“Ambassador Singh will talk about the relationship between India and the United States,” he said.

He said that their relationship used to be considerably neglected, but recently has changed dramatically in a positive way.

“Now there is much more substance to U.S.-Indian relations,” he said.
Ganguly said Singh will discuss the three pillars of

U.S.-Indian relations: economic, diplomatic and military.

“India has opened up its economy to foreign investment,” he said.

As a result, America and other countries have become more
interested in India. Ganguly said the Clinton and Bush administrations paid more attention to India and worked on improving diplomatic and military relations.

“The U.S. and India are holding major air forces exercises,” he said. “These are one of a series of military exercises between the U.S. and India.”

Singh will speak about the past, present and future of U.S.-Indian relations. He will also explain why America’s relationship with India will
be essential to tackling big world issues.

“India and the U.S., despite differences, will have to work together to address global climate change,” Ganguly said. “Major talks are just beginning in Copenhagen. In order to be successful, they will need increased Indo-European cooperation.”

“India and the U.S.: The Challenges of Partnership”
When 5:30 p.m. Friday
Where India Studies House, 825 E. Eighth St.
More Info Arun K. Singh is the current deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India to the United States.