And it's in our mutual interests — I also made it clear that it's in our interests that the Indian economy prospers. And it's a very simple reason why. One, a prosperous country is one that is — particularly one that has shown its capacity to deal with a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. It will give India more opportunity to lead, particularly in parts of the world where people need to see how democracy can work and function in a proper way.
And secondly, the American people have got to understand a prosperous India is advantageous to our own industries. I mean, we want people buying American products, Indians want Americans buying Indian products, and that exchange of trade in a free and fair way is beneficial for workers and consumers.
And I said an amazing statistic today — at least I thought it was — 300 million middle-class citizens in India. That's larger than the population of the United States. And so we shouldn't fear relations with India — matter of fact, we ought to welcome them and work on ways to strengthen them. That's really what the purpose of the trip is.
Do you consider India to be a responsible nuclear nation?
I do, particularly when they signed the IAEA safeguards, and they have a separation between their military and their civilian nuclear parts of their government.
Mr President, would the United States have a problem if India continued to source oil and gas from Iran?
I think people are going to have to buy their energy where they can get it. On the other hand, I do want to make it clear to the Indian people and the Indian government that an Iran with a nuclear weapon will destabilise the world, and that those of us who are for peace and stability must work in concert. So there's a difference between energy supply and working closely to achieve a very important objective.
And we will discuss this issue carefully with the Prime Minister. There is a consensus in the world, and that consensus is that an Iranian government that has declared its — has said that Israel shouldn't exist, for example, and if it were to have a nuclear weapon, would be a danger to all of us. And I will continue to make that point with the Prime Minister.
Why has the US not questioned AQ Khan, whose activities intersect proliferation and terrorism?
Well, we were the nation that exposed the conspiracy to deal with — more than the conspiracy, the activities, let me rephrase that — we were the nation that exposed the activities of sharing technologies, sensitive technologies, nuclear weapons-related technologies. And we, of course, want to know as much about the AQ Khan network as possible. But had it not been for US intelligence, coupled with British intelligence, this network never would have been exposed. And the light of day helps understand proliferation.
Mr President, why does India have to jump through the hoops to get a civilian nuclear agreement when its energy requirements are similar to China, another big, growing economy?
There are the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group, and the IAEA — in other words, the world has signed on to this. We think it's in India's interest to do so, as it pertains to its civilian nuclear power industry. It will give confidence to people. It will make it easier for the United States to work with India. This will be a confidence-building measure that we don't believe is an unrealistic request. And we do realise there will be separation between the military side and the civilian side. What we're working on is the civilian side.
Is the US more comfortable dealing with dictators and monarchs?
Do what now? Do I feel comfortable doing what?
Dealing with dictators and monarchs?
Do I feel comfortable dealing with them?
No, the US.
The US feels comfortable with dealing with dictators?
And monarchs.
And monarchs? Well, I mean, I've got a great relationship with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. (Laughter.) She's a lovely lady and a great figure in a country that's an important ally. And, of course, that monarchy is very supportive of a free and open and democratic system.
You must take the words that I said in my second inaugural address very seriously, in that we must end tyranny in the 21st century. It's a goal that all of us can work on. India has got a unique role to play. I mean, when you really think about troubled spots, these are countries many times that are having difficulty dealing with what it means to honour minority rights and welcoming different religions within kind of a social and civil fabric.
And India has done a magnificent job of showing the world how democracy can work. And it's — India is — I'm confident the country will play a constructive role and can do so in a much better way many times than the United States can. I mean, after all, there are 150 [sic] Muslims living within the Indian democracy. We got a lot of Muslims in the United States, as well, which shows the world that it's — your capable of honouring — worshipping God as you see fit, and you can do so in a free way, and at the same time, be a productive citizen of a state.
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