And India can help a lot. I was very impressed by its contribution to a new democracy in the neighbourhood, and that's Afghanistan. India has provided $565 million of cash, recently pledged an additional $50 million to build the Afghan National Assembly building. And that's responsible — a responsible nation does that. And it's a — it goes to show — at least says to me that India understands that a democracy in our neighbourhood will help yield peace, because if you study the history of the world, regions that had been in turmoil are now peaceful as a result of the evolution of democracy.
And one of the points I made in my address to the Asia Society is that there are — there's more democracies now in the region, which will make it easier for a current Prime Minister, future Prime Minister of India to help achieve the vision that we all want, which is a peaceful world.
Mr President, in this era of free flow capital, why would — why are there so many restrictions about inflow of talent — human capital to the United States, who probably add wealth and knowledge —
I appreciate that question. You're talking about visa restrictions for highly educated citizens. I am for lifting those. I think we ought to raise the level of those who are either educated here and stay here and/or with high skill levels. It's in our interest. I've always been a proponent of that.
And likewise, I would hope that India would lift its investment caps. In other words — and part of the trip is to kind of work on ways to continue to develop this strategic relationship in a constructive way. It's a — you know, I said something interesting — at least I thought it was interesting — in the speech. I said, for a period of time, if you're a friend of Pakistan, you couldn't deal with India, and if you're a friend of India, you couldn't deal with Pakistan. And we have tried to change the relationships so that people recognise it's in their interest that the United States is a friend of Pakistan's, and people in Pakistan recognise it's in their interest that the United States is a friend of India's to help, if need be, reduce tensions.
Right now, the level of tensions are, relatively speaking, down. I can remember when I first came into office. You might remember there was a series of incidents that got everybody quite nervous, and we had shuttle diplomacy — Colin Powell. And it seems to me that there is a renewed commitment to resolving problems. I thought it was very interesting that trade between the two countries has doubled, that there's, you know, new transportation hubs. That's all very positive in terms of resolving issues.
You asked me about the relationship, how it's evolved, and I mentioned to you that as time passes sometimes, and circumstances change, relationships are able to develop a new dynamic. I would hope that time and circumstantial change is enabling India and Pakistan to develop a new dynamic. It appears to be that way.
Press Secretary Scott McClellan: Final question.
Between a cricket match and a Bollywood movie, what would a —
Cricket match and a —
You like watching?
What was the second?
It's between a Bollywood movie and a cricket match.
I'm a cricket match person. (Laughter.) I appreciate it. As I understand it, I may have a little chance to learn something about cricket. It's a great pastime. (Laughter.)
But Mr President, you're going to India, but you're not visiting the Taj Mahal.
I know. It means I'm going to have to —
Have you broken a promise to the First Lady?
No, it means I'm going to have to come back. It's a — I am disappointed with that. People who have seen the Taj Mahal say that it's — pictures don't do it justice. It's one of the great magnificent sites of the world. And look, if I were the scheduler, perhaps I'd be doing things differently. But you want me doing one thing. I'll be the President, we've got the scheduler being the scheduler. I'm going to miss a lot of the really interesting parts of your great country. I know that. I would hope that I would be invited back sometime after this trip.
You could be in trouble with the 'Desperate Housewife'.
Yes. Well, she's certainly the star of the family. She's really looking forward to going with me.Mr President, what is your earliest memory of India.
McClellan: We've got to go to the next one.
What is your earliest memory of India and Indians?
My best memory?
Earliest.
At least memory?
Earliest.
Gandhi. It's my first memory, as I think about India. You know, a person who was so spiritual that he captured the imagination of the entire world. He's proof positive that — throughout history there have been individuals that have had the capacity to shape thought and to influence and — beyond border. And he did that.
You watched the movie?
I watched that, too. But that's — but my memory was earlier than that.
Thank you.
Thank you, very much.
Enjoyed it.
By arrangement with Bhaskar News Service
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