2000-09-15 Remarks by VP at Toast in Honor of Prime Minister Vajpayee
Press Secretary
Office of the Vice President
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 15, 2000
REMARKS BY THE VICE PRESIDENT
AT A TOAST IN HONOR OF PRIME MINISTER VAJPAYEE OF INDIA
U.S. Department of State
September 15, 2000
Prime Minister Vajpayee. Members of the Indian delegation.
Members of Congress. Distinguished guests. Ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome. It is a true privilege and pleasure for me to host you,
Mr. Prime Minister, for today's luncheon.
In today's world, it is rare to find a leader who combines the
qualities of idealism and pragmatism, confidence and humility. In you,
Mr. Prime Minister, we find such a leader.
As a poet, you have inspired the imagination of your people with
your eloquence. As Prime Minister, you have challenged your people to
act on their imagination, to create a shared vision for a united,
democratic, prosperous and peaceful India, and then to make that vision
a reality. You are truly a leader in both word and deed.
President John Kennedy once said, in our country, "If more
politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced
the world would be a little better place to live." I cannot translate
that into Hindi, but Mr. Prime Minister, you embody President Kennedy's
words. You know both poetry and politics, and through your inspired
leadership, you are indeed making the world a better place to live.
In your poem Oonchai - or "height" in English - you speak of the
importance of not losing touch with humanity as one rises in life. Your
poem ends with a stirring line, which I would like to quote: "Never let
me climb so high that I cannot bend down to embrace another human." You
have dedicated your life to this noble ambition.
I am confident that India is destined for great heights. One of
the world's great civilizations, India has emerged, of course, as one of
it's great democracies. India's history has been turbulent at times.
But your nation is on the way to overcoming these challenges by
embracing change, uniting all, and setting a course for the future.
The United States, Mr. Prime Minister, joins India as a partner on
this journey. Our two nations share a special bond. As the world's
oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy, we are, in your
words, "natural allies." Our cultures and customs differ, but we share
a strong commitment to democracy and equality for all. We are proof
that diversity is strength, and that freedom is power.
The success of the Indian-American community testifies to the
potential for our partnership. Many distinguished members of this
Indian-American community join us here today. Indian-Americans have
excelled in all fields of endeavor, from medicine to movies, science to
airlines, and everything in between. And they have been at the
forefront of the information revolution. Many Indian-Americans have
found a home in Silicon Valley, leading some of the most successful
internet companies. They have made an invaluable contribution to
America's prosperity and democratic life.
As the world's two leading democracies, we bear a special
responsibility to take the lead in meeting the challenges that all
democracies face. We must work together to ensure democracy's promises
are realized by all our people, that all benefit from freedom. Quality
education, public health, a clean environment - these are the goals we
share and which together we can achieve. Threats that undermine
democracy - such as terrorism and the proliferation of dangerous weapons
technologies - are concerns we also share, and will work together to
address.
When you were sworn-in as India's sixteenth Prime Minister two
years ago, you said that you "have a pledge to redeem and a promise to
fulfill." On behalf of all Americans, I pledge to you America's
continued support, and promise you our lasting friendship.
Please join me now in raising our glasses in honor of Prime
Minister Vajpayee and to the friendship between our two great nations.
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