Seen an auditorium like this draw an audience. It is a slow news cycle in south asia. We are very excited to have Vardhan Shringla here to give remarks today. I am going to start with a few housekeeping items before introducing the ambassador for 15 to 20 minutes and then we are going to move to a moderated lunch including q a from the audience. We would like to leave some time for this interactive discussion. But we do have some heritage product on the us relationship. This has been a big priority for the Heritage Foundation, for myself, for the Us Government and just last night, modhi 2. 0, moderating differences, consolidating looked at the reelection of Prime Minister modhi, reviewed some of the progress and some of the remarkable progress in us relations during modhis first term and looking at the second term and was we can expect in terms of opportunities and challenges. Here at heritage we are organizing a big conference on india us relations in october, september of this year in partnership with the Research Foundation in india or independent think tank so stay tuned for more information on that, we are inviting several members of congress, we expect a big impact, high level for that conference. We are also running in india us trilateral Strategic Dialogue in november. We have a longrunning dialogue of which india is part of that began in 2013 which is held in australia. We are planning for next year, a book chapter coming out in Southeast Asia with the Rand Corporation and another chapter coming out later this year on chinas strategic triangle for china india relations. We are doing all this because india is a priority. This is one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. But today we are going to not be talking about india us relations as much. A frequent topic of interest here but the priorities of the modhi government in its second term, the region in particular, its Development Strategies and foreignpolicy more broadly and to do so we have an esteemed speaker. I had the pleasure of seeing Vardhan Shringla in action. He is incredibly articulate, incredibly experienced. He is a career diplomat and member of the Indian Foreign servant since 1984 and 34 years of service served as high commissioner of india to bangladesh, ambassador of india to the kingdom of thailand, previously served as joined secretary director general responsible for bangladesh, sri lanka, myanmar, head of the United Nations political subdivision ministry of external affairs and served in france, vietnam, israel and south africa. In addition to the english and indian languages several indian languages, french, vietnamese, ambassador to the United States this year. With that i will turn the floor over to you and we are eager to hear the priorities for the new modhi government. [applause] good morning all of our friends. Im very happy to be here at the Heritage Foundation at which we had longstanding and excellent cooperation and happy to meet this morning with the Vice President of the foundation. I would like to thank the Heritage Foundation in particular for hosting me today and it gives me even greater pleasure to know that this session is being moderated by someone who is considered one of the foremost experts on this issue. I noticed in your introduction you used the word incredibly three times for me and i hope put matters into perspective and try to get you to relate to what we are referencing in terms of experiences and 3 different countries. For every foreignpolicy determined by national in india we call it the National Interest above all and it is not new because this is something about foreignpolicy but what the modhi government has done is given a much sharper focus to bring foreignpolicy in closer alignment to the priorities of the government so if you were to define foreignpolicy, it would be an attempt to create an enabling and sustainable environment that would enable you to get the best conditions for National Development and this could be achieved by providing garnering access to technology, best practices to market and investments and contributing in a constructive manner to global debate and gender on matters of interest, global interest and all of this underpins. One of the reasons this was brought into focus as far as we were concerned and by we i mean the Indian Forest service and diplomats, to orient ourselves, change orientations with that variety. In fact it was diplomacy for developments which really means whatever you do in whichever country you are to ensure you are contributing in one view or the other, flagship programs and initiatives, digital india, all of these are priority projects, access the best possible link between the country you represent i will come down to that because i want to put it in perspective. One of the things when Prime Minister modhi came to office, what he found was although we had a fairly robust diplomatic engagement there were many countries that despite our best efforts were not able to engage and we found there were close to 14 countries that had never been visited by any ministerial or senior official in a long time. So the priority was to make sure our engagement at high levels, in 5 years of office and first term of office, the level of a minister, and the United Nations. Micronesia and Central African republic but not lack of intense and 192, the Prime Minister himself visited and they included our major partners, china, russia and the United Kingdom but in japan it included countries off the beaten track. Fiji, a Pacific Islands, mongolia and in other countries as a result of which there was an organization, federation of indian and Pacific Island countries and all state and government, one meeting with that. Similarly the African Union for the first time allow all african heads of state to come to india. The 10 heads of state on one occasion to commemorate their relationship with india but these are unprecedented efforts to the International Community and significant among one of these areas reaching out to africa and Pacific Island, a very strong effort to reach out to the muslim world and the fact that the Prime Minister, a Record Number of countries in the arab world and islamic countries, notably in the gulf, quite a departure from the normal visits abroad and recognized by the fact that our relationship with saudi arabia, qatar and other countries, saudi arabia, to the Prime Minister. Palestine conferred the grand collar and at the same time Prime Minister modhi was the first to visit the state of israel and the first is really Prime Minister, there is no contradiction because countries recognize to maintain the best relations to ensure relations to these countries remain at the bilateral level which is important. At the same time the first time in 50 years india was invited as a trying to illustrate this outreach is not just been unprecedented but also focused in ensuring it is directed to areas we might have neglected to levels of priority but on the economic side, diplomacy for development, the effort, 30 meetings with investors outside of india, when he comes to the United States he goes to Silicon Valley and sweden and meets the scandinavian investor and wherever he goes, make sure the economic priorities are paramount and that useful because in the last 5 years we attracted 260 billion of investment in our country. That is a chain that continues in support of important priorities. The United States has been a major partner in that regard. The United States is our major partner in the socioeconomic transformation of india. In other words, a lot of the support, all our flagship programs, the foremost technology transfer, creating employment and participation, creation of hundreds of industrial parks. Legitimate program, the program that is concerned across cities, 14 ongoing metropolitan crossings. And im government to government basis through private participation. And infrastructure and saudi arabia and sovereignty funds and Investment Infrastructure development in areas of strategy and it is very pronounced. There are few foreignpolicy initiatives that deserve mention. And a lot of them relate for every country it is vital your foreignpolicy focus on the environment around you. If you dont have proper outreach to your own neighbors and in that context. Whether we are familiar at that time in terms of seeing it firsthand, this is underpinned there was a feeling when the government came in, Prime Minister modhi came into office in 2014 we have been looking for a long time and that priority towards all of that, an important part of our orientation particularly the focus of charity on foreignpolicy initiatives. The third aspect of this is the indo pacific, a large area, and a wide sort of area, in hollywood to hollywood or hollywood to hollywood but essentially from the us to india in the shores of africa, something we have been involved with. Our priorities are different. One of the slogans the Prime Minister, development for all, a domestic agenda something we brought into the country, and inclusive Growth Development, you take everybody with you. In our immediate neighborhood. If you have countries in the neighborhood that are not moving as fast as you in terms of Growth Development then you have a problem because the nature of our borders, you will always whatever happens will be happening, and interlinkage which can be avoided. If you have islands, lack of development cannot grow. Or bangladesh. Bangladesh is a country with whom we sure 4001 km border. It is 3 times the size of the border between the United States and mexico and also a very porous border which allows the best efforts, International Borders and our efforts to ensure longterm basis in dealing with the issues of concern. And had to be supported. And successfully do so in bangladeshs development and today we have 10 million, soft bones in bangladesh. In the last ten years it goes to 8 . The levels of Economic Development or socioEconomic Development, rate of unemployment which is very low which is big satisfaction to us. And issues that are constantly there, illegal immigration and other issues related to economic disparities. Every several years ago bangladesh and development, among the highest positions and that policy brought us benefits. One country has seen development. And bangladesh, a resurgence of investments, tourism has rejuvenated our economy. In that sense the trilateral highway between india, the highway that provides between india and pakistan is something that happens. And through the kind of state of myanmar, access to the sea not east of india but access to the sea through myanmar, through the ports and bangladesh. For part of india that has not gone as far as the rest of india has. And Economic Opportunities with immediate neighbors, those that were part of it. Estate that produces coal, rock boulders, bamboo. The market for that is just below bangladesh, marked to the rest of india. As we indicated, in the development department, neighbors, it is something we are seeing beyond the process, the when we talk about the focus, we are talking about transparent, inclusive vision that we would like to see in conformity with our own values and ideas and we broke with all concerned. It is not a concept that is exclusive. Mutually exclusive is a concept that is mutually exclusive, one country, we want pursuing in the normal the indo pacific region. A major hurricane in mozambique on the eastern coast of africa. In indonesia, a tsunami and an earthquake. To provide relief. When the multis were suffering acute water shortage we were the first to provide Drinking Water to people who want it. When bangladesh had an influx of 400,000 refugees in the sport short span of a month or 2. Immediate assistance to meet. A similar hurricane or cyclone, the first to do that. On the notion that has easy access to many of the countries that are affected by natural disasters it is important that as partners we are quick to come to their assistance. Similarly by net security providers we work the concept in a positive way. We have been part of the effort. At least two in the gulf of aden to any ship which is facing that. A master in thailand, to work on areas that bring benefits. In other words, and coordinated patrols, and increasingly, in Economic Development. On the Indo Pacific Strategy is a positive interface, a way to work with them to get the best requirements. The initiative is essentially between the tropics of capricorn and cancer, these have abundant sunshine but dont have resources and took capacity and know how to convert that natural resource. We in india have a selfdeclared objective to meet 40 of our Energy Requirements through nonfossil fuels and other sources of energy by 2050. We want to make sure we have the intention of Energy Capacity of which a lot has already been installed. And work with other friends, and it has been so successful that it is no longer confined, every country has been invited to join a large number of countries including the un, part of this effort between us and other organizers of the borderlands. Waiting for this assistance in capacity of countries all over the world so these are examples of what to do a global basis to mitigate Climate Change. A major Climate Change conference in the United Nations on the 23rd, Prime Minister in that particular context, a recognition of our own contribution to ensure that there is International Activity which seeks to do something. Its not enough to talk about it or to see, there is inherent danger of Climate Change that will affect all of us but there is the will to do something and that is important. With other countries, and effort and enough support to meet their own so i know i will probably be on my time. It is probably better if we pause here and one of the questions wanted to just toa point you made about the indo pacific. We hear a lot about the Indo Pacific Strategy and india came to impress the concept and talk more about the indo pacific being free and open and i wanted to talk about any real divergence between the two visions. We dont share the same Indo Pacific Strategy but when you break down the underlying principles they look very similar to me so are the us and india on the same page about promoting a vision for freedom in the indo pacific . The indo pacific as a concept, theres a lot more work that has to be done. I think the basic principles of that concept are the same which means you want the indo pacific to be a region on the basis in which you yourself exist to ensure that there is International Rules and laws govern the way you conduct yourself in terms of common spaces we occupy, freedom of navigation, whether it is a transference system of development. These are all principles that are the same. I dont think any divergence, it is a question of how the concept has worked in a manner that in our view is inclusive and not directed against anyone but something we want to make sure we work with as many partners as possible in a positive way. Thank you. At the risk of causing an insurrection in the audience we are not going to make this q a session about castro but given the prevalence of this issue in the news cycle i wanted to give you an opportunity for thoughts on recent developments in the past 24 hours which captured the attention in washington. The reorganization into their own counsel. It was a decision, provided better governance and the socioeconomic benefits. Particularly disadvantaged sections. To take it into account. At the end of the way, also something that has not been a new concept. The organization of states we have been through in india. It is something that does not in any way touch upon or affect the International Boundary and does not have any impact on our relationship with any other state. It is an internal matter. There has also, some of us have seen the debates, pointed out to expand, we have seen a lot of developmental funds have been very generous, exploited by a group of individuals politically connected in that state. The idea of converting this is to ensure the development benefits go directly to the people. Inflicting the state economically you need to ensure those Development Funds go to a section of population, this is something you prioritize now with the reorganizations. Private investments with features on 370, 35 the which preclude investments, involvement in the development and through the chamber of commerce through the economic vehicles that mobilize private investment funding into the state. We will see a great deal of change for the better. For the benefit of the population and see a much Brighter Future through reorganization of states. Some in the media made mention on muslim majority, i want to point out it was in 1947, rejected the notion and pakistan has fallen on the basis of an Islamic Republic but that notion too was predicted when bangladesh became a separate country, a secular country. A country that coexists happily with a minority of hindus and christians and so that notion of creation of states based on religion, Secular Democratic the freedom of all religions. A state which leads to a minority, something that goes against the basic principles of the constitution that we believe in. To do away with archaic practice. Which really meant the muslim core, the indian personal laws were based on tradition and some of these laws, many islamic countries themselves of dunaway with it so the government of Prime Minister modhi to do away with it which meant i have been in a muslim family, simple as that so obviously in modern society this is no longer acceptable. The basic principle, it is good for the people who work in terms of Good Governance and not in any way any bearing on our relations, over time we will see this is to the benefit of the very people it impacts. Thank you and one more question to the audience. Speak a little bit about opportunities and challenges in us relations moving forward. The Eternal Optimist in us relations and we had a remarkable progress to partnership during Prime Minister modhis firsthand but i recognize there is a set of challenges on trade, on sanctions that is arguably more formidable over the past ten years. We have done a good job managing those but they are still there. As you look forward what do you see as the Biggest Challenges and biggest opportunities for india us relations . Today, india us relations are in many senses represent an enviable situation. We have a comprehensive partnership that is political, strategic, it involves economic dimension and it is one that developed very quickly over the last few years and a situation that strong correction for Good Relationship so as democracies support from people of both our countries. That drives us and understand the relationship should not be seen, a longterm perspective, 50 years of strategic partnership. Obviously in that unerring factor, essentially a strong democracy, we believe we share the same values, our relationship moves forward. Irrespective of what comes along the way. We certainly see the relationship as one that could be seen in a longterm pursuit and many of these issues that may arise, it can be affected. One of the issues as the United States recalibrates, not just india but countries across the globe, we are happy to engage in that difference and in the margin of the g 20 Prime Minister modhi and donald trump decided they would offer concerns to meet, and ambassador lighthizer and that meeting would enable us to reach the conclusion that is mutually beneficial. It has to be seen in a longterm perspective and one that i think has the inherent basis on which we can take it forward. May be we could grab two or three questions at a clip from the audience. Ill start here and work our way back. Good morning. Im a current dod contractor, former Homeland Security and former Heritage Foundation in turn back in the day. Mr. Ambassador, your excellency, the at the risk of stirring the pot a bit im going to ask a question of pakistan. What ive heard he seems to be sincere in his efforts to root out corruption and reform his government. That being said, do you think he has the willingness to rein in the isi . And one here. With relation to the india asean relationship, i was wondering if youd come it on indias but dissipation and what he think india will participate in that . And a third in the back. Cliff smith, middle east. We could comment on the role in fomenting violence in kashmir. I know they recently, people have been driven from leadership and mosques and such. I wonder how you saw the u. S. And europe as part of that in terms of the fundraising networks and things of that nature . Lets start with the easy ones first, pakistan. [laughing] well, our position has always been that whatever we talk about in terms of the efforts to develop a new approach to some of the issues that are related to pakistan, what is important is the actions. Those actions, as far as one of the main issues that affect both United States and india is terrorism. We play those actions should be credible, verifiable, and those that in the long term, sustainable. When we talk about steps that are taken we need to make sure that they are steps that can be, over a certain period of time, verified as being serious, credible steps towards addressing the issue of terrorism. I think its a similar issue, the question about clearly there is been concerned over the issues of terrorist funding. They have been very concerned about the fact that pakistan has been on the great list, not taking steps to address the issue terrorist funding. These are some of the serious things that need to be addressed. They have to be satisfied that the steps on the ground through legislation, through actions are credible and verifiable to enable the International Community to believe that there is a new approach to its dealing with longstanding problems of terrorism. We have to see how that goes. As far as this is an important trade grouping that includes the asean countries, including india, includes south korea, japan. We do believe that this is an area where we are keen to see a certain outcome. A few days ago our commerce secretary was there and were hopeful for a satisfactory outcome that could benefit the trading relationships between all these countries. Ambassador, thank you for a wonderful talk. My question ties in with the first question about strategy and convergences between india and United States. My specific question is towards indias effort to de make eige indopacific. United states sees it as a package. How do you think the two countries will reconcile this nuanced difference . Thank you. Im a College Student and in turn for congressman kathleen rice. I was wondering if you could, and what steps to retain top any, within the country and keep them there, especially those who are college educated. Your excellency, my question is you talked about liberal policy and development. For instance, in the case of nepal exports about three times more was says to russia, two times more what it does to australia. For some reason it doesnt seek your support for my question is obviously the deficit very large and it makes sense for these countries to try to do more transactions with china. China eisner opportunity there. At this moment the Modi Government feels like it doesnt do anything like that. My question to be, will something be done on this . Thank you very much. One final in the back. Thank you, ambassador. I was one if you could say would you about indias relationship with russia currently . Thank you. Let me begin by this time taking most top india talent and brain drain. To answer that comment, i will just go back a few years, and this is a story that many of my colleagues have heard so excuse the repetition. I used to be attached to the Education Minister at one stage. He was drafting the education policy. Im talking about 30 years ago, so its a long time back. I asked him, i said, so many of our best minds, people have been educated in some of the best Public Institutions in india, medical institutions, engineering aestheticians are going abroad, to u. S. And other countries. Its a major brain drain. Its something we should do to address. He told me, very interesting, he said were not in the business of restricting people, restraining people. Today we dont have the capacity to absorb some the people on that level of Human Resource development. But he says, one day probably it will be a time when those people come back and the will invest back in india, wring their knowledge and noah back and contribute to the development of our country. I think that day has come. Today we see a lot of people of indian knowledge all over the world, but a lot of them in the United States who are investing back in india, investing in startups, investing in major companies, investing through Venture Capital funds, who are providing technology. Many of them are sharing their experience. We have a program which encourages and channels. Some of the highly educated people to go back to india and to teach them to share the knowledge. That program tends to link you up with the institution, and which the meat you can contribute to that program is aa very active program and i think he contributes. We have our technology consular here. He was a point person in her embassy to look at such, helping or linking of people with talent of people with indian knowledge to go back and contribute. Please feel free to get in touch. For us, the other day we had a very useful seminar over 35 postdoctoral fellows who are undergoing the program here. We had the director general of the Indian Medical Council center as well as the dean of research. We then walked them through where they could possibly contribute, you become the every they could contribute. Where in it if they could and make that difference. Thats a good question and we are receptive to what youre asking, to see how we can be of help. The question about the indopacific, well, look, i mean, members of the court and the court is a concept that is still developing. It is still a group that is meeting on areas where we have common interests and common projects, common development. It was never a part of the indopacific, and indopacific is different. The court is a concept that is different and they dont think that you are really exactly on the same page when it comes to strategies. As i said, these are being developed and fleshed out. Its early in the game. I dont think with any difference with the u. S. In categorizing these different concepts. Let me move on to the question on nepal. Nepal is one of our closest neighbors, one of the most important countries with which we have a relationship. It is a a relationship that iso special that we dont need to support each others citizens. Nepalese citizens can work in india. There is no restriction. I know a very large number of citizens are employed especially in the indian army. There is a trade deficit because i think nepal takes a lot of its for many. It does not mean that trade deficit needs to continue. The solution is more investment, more creation in the fall. And to Work Together to provide the basis by which the pauls own potential to increase. One way were doing it is through hydroelectric. Were developing at least three projects, and these will bring benefits to both countries. These are mutually beneficial projects. We are developing 1400 megawatts of hydroelectric capacity. They are not and by mitchell damaging. At the same time they contribute 70 of revenue. We are developing another 3000 in baton and simile with nepal i think the capacity we developed through hydroelectric which couldve been done when i was dealing with in 1997 we signed an agreement. I think if that couldve been realized, today we would be in a different story, but still the basis of it is there and we can still cooperate to have partnership. Use the resources that you have to the benefit of both countries, and to think no better way than hydroelectric power. Great connectivity, joint ventures and investments. With regard to russia, yes, of course russians always been an important partner of india. We have a strong relationship which is based on people to people contact. There was a time in which our Film Industry had a major impact on russia. I think it has brought us closer together. Subsequently of course oil and gas and energy as a major aspect of our partnership. It goes without saying that historically there has been a close relationship. That relationship is underpinned by strong ties that will continue. Thank you very much. I i would like to ask the audiee to join me in thanking the ambassador for a Tour De Force through the Modi Governments authorities on Foreign Policy and development policies. I get another thank you to the ambassador. Thank you to the audience for taking time out of your day to spend with us. If you remain interested in india and in the u. S. Relationship, stay tuned because theres more to come. Thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] for 40 years cspan has been providing america unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the Supreme Court and Public Policy events from washington, d. C. And around the country so you could make up your own mind. Created by cable in 1979, cspan is brought to you by your local cable or satellite provider. Cspan, your unfiltered view of government. The head of the federal Railroad Administration was on capitol hill for hearing on the implementation of train safety technology, including positive train control, or ptc, which is an anticollision system. Those also testimony from other Transportation Industry officials. This runs an hour 15 minutes. Good afternoon. Today the committee gathers for hearing to examine the next steps in positive train control implementation. Im glad to convene this hearing on this important issue with a friend and colleague, Ranking Member cantwell. I want to thank our panel of witnesses for appearing. Mr. Ron batory, administrator of the federal Railroad Administration, susan fleming, director of physical infrastructure, u. S. Government co