Here. Im going to start with a little safety announcement. I learned this lesson from Rex Tillerson when he was ceo at exxonmobil. Every Public Meeting begins with an announcement with how well take care of you if anything comes up. The exits are behind us. The stairs closest that will take us down is behind this door, go down to the first level. Were going to take two left hand turns meet across the street at National Geographic and there will be ice cream for you when you get there. So everything will be fine, no worries. Let me first say welcome to richard spencer, secretary of the navy. Were glad you could join us today. Thank you for your service, richard. It was about a year ago i was having breakfast with then Rex Tillerson. Hes no longer Rex Tillerson for me, hes secretary tillerson. He had announced he was going to be retiring, and we were talking about how we would continue relations with him and all that. I said rex, what are you going to do when you retire . He said im going to go to the ranch and rustle up the cattle. We were talking about that. I think he misses the opportunity. [ laughter ] its a lot harder to rustle up wranglers here in washington than it is in west texas. But were so grateful he didnt have any plans to come into this office and become secretary of state. And im so grateful he did. Ive had 11 years of opportunity to work with secretary tillerson and know the scale and interest he has on international matters. He is so perfectly suited to help us at this time in our nations history. Were going to maximum efficiency, i cant let Little People stand up, so there will be little cards to fill out and well make it a much more efficient way that way. But would you please welcome the secretary of state Rex Tillerson. [ applause ] well, thank you so much, john. It is a real pleasure to be back in the building, and i was asking john if the building was meeting all the expectations that we had when this project was undertaken. And i see so many faces in the room that were a big part of bring thing to a reality. He said there were four events going on simultaneously and i said perfect. I want to thank many of you in the room for the 11 years i had serving on the board of trustees and your mentorship with me. And i learned so much during the time i was here and those engangments, and i thank john for his friendship. He was a dear friend throughout that time. It really has been important to my ability to do what ive been asked to do to serve the country. Again, it is a real pleasure to be here, and thankful for the opportunity to be back in this building. So first, let me wish everyone, happy nuwali. So all our friends in the United States, india, here celebrating the festival of lights. Generally, fireworks accompany that. I dont need any fireworks. Im getting too in fireworks around me already. So well forego the fireworks. My relationship with india dates back to about 1998, so almost 20 years now, when i began working on issues related to Indias Energy security. And ive had many trips to the country, obviously over those many years. And it was a real privilege to do business with the indian counterparts then. And its been a great honor this year to work with indian leaders as secretary of state. I do look forward to returning to deli next week for the first time in my official capacity. This visit could not come at a more promising time for u. S. Indian relations and the u. S. Indian partnership. This year marks the 70th anniversary of relations between our two countries. When president truman welcomed then the Prime Minister to his viting, he said, destiny will that our countries should be discovered in the search for a new route to yours. I hope your visit too will be in a sense a discovery of the United States of america. The pacific and the indian oceans have linked our nations for centuries. Francis scott key wrote what would become our National Anthem sitting aboard a ship that was built in india. As we look to the next 100 years, it is vital that the region so central to our shared history, continues to be free and open. Thats really the thing that my remarks to you this morning. President trump and the Prime Minister are committed more than any other leaders before them to building an Ambitious Partnership that benefits not only our two great democracies, but other sovereign nations working to our Greater Peace and stability. Prime minister modis visit in june highlighted the many areas of cooperation that are already under way. Our defense ties are growing. We are coordinating our counterterrorism efforts more than ever before. And earlier this month, the shipment of American Crude Oil arrived in india, a tapgib ibta illustration of our energy cooperation. The Trump Administration is determined to dramatically deepen ways for the United States and india to further this partnership. For us today its plain to see why this matters. India represents the Worlds Largest democracy. The driving force of our close relationship rests in the ties between our peoples, our si citizens, Business Leaders and scientists. Nearly 1. 2 american visitors traveled to india last year. More than 166,000 Indian Students are studying in the United States. And nearly 4 million indianamericans call the United States home, contributing to their communities as doctors, engineers, and innovators. And proudly serving their country in uniform. As our economies grow closer, we find more opportunities for prosperity for our people. More than 600 American Companies operate in india. U. S. Foreign direct investment has jumped by 500 in the past two years alone. Last year, our bilateral trade hit a record of roughly 115 billion, a number we plan to increase. Together, weve built a Sturdy Foundation of economic cooperation, as we look for more avenues of expansion. The announcement of the first Global Entrepreneurship summit ever to be hosted in south asia to take place next month is a clear example of how President Trump and the Prime Minister are promoting innovation, expanding job opportunities, and finding new ways to strengthen both of our economies. When our militaries conduct joint exercises, we send a powerful message as to our commitment to protecting the Global Commons and defending our people. This years mulibar exercise was our most complex to date. The largest vessels from american, indian, and jeez navies demonstrated their power together in the indian ocean for the first time, sending a clear example of the combined thrstreh of the three democracies. We hope to add others in the coming years. In keeping with indias status, endorsed by the u. S. Congress, our mutual interests in expanding maritime cooperation, the Trump Administration has offered a menu of defense options for indias consideration, including the guardian uav. We value the role india can play in Global Security and stability, and are prepared to ensure they have greater capabilities. Over the past decade, our counterterrorism cooperation has expanded significantly. Thousands of Indian Security personnel have trained with american counterparts to enhance their capacity. The United States and india are cross screening known suspected terrorists and later this year well convene a new dialogue on terrorist designations. In july, i signed the designation as mujahadin as a terrorist organization, because the United States and india stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism. States that use terrorism will see their International Reputation and standing diminished. It is the obligation, not the choice, of every civilized nation to discourage terrorism. The United States and india are lead thing effort in that region. Another profound transformation is taking place, one that will have far reaching implications for the next 100 years. The United States and india are increasingly global partners. Indians and americans dont just share an affinity for democracy, but we share a vision of the future. The emerging Strategic Partnership stands upon a shared commitment upholding the rule of law, freedom of navigation, universal values and free trade. Our nations are two book ends of stability on either side of the globe. Standing for greater security and prosperity for citizens and people around the world. The challenges and dangers we face are substantial. The scourge of terrorism and the disorder threaten peace everywhere. North Koreas Nuclear weapons test and Ballistic Missiles pose a clear and imminent threat to the security of the United States, our asian allies and other nations. And the very International Order thats benefited indias rise and that of many others is increasingly under strain. China, while rising alongside india, has done so less responsibly. At times, undermining International Rules based order. Even as countries like india operate within a framework that protects other nations sovereignty. Chinas provocative actions in the South China Sea directly challenge the International Law and norms that the United States and india both stand for. The United States seeks constructive relations with china. But we will not shrink from chinas challenges, and where china subverts the sovereignty of neighboring countries, it disadvantages the u. S. And our friends. In this period of uncertainty, india needs a reliable partner on the world stage. I want to make clear with our shared values and vision for global peace and prosperity, the United States is that partner. With indias youth, its powerful democratic example and increasing stature on the world stage, it makes perfect sense that the United States, at this time, should seek to build on the Strong Foundation of our years of cooperation with india. It is indeed time to double down on a democratic partner that is still rising and rising responsibly for the next 100 years. But above all, the world and indo pacific in particular, needs the United States and india to have a strong partnership. India and the United States as the indian saying goes do the needful. [ laughter ] our two countryks ies can be th voice the world needs. The indo pacific including the entire indian ocean, the western pacific and the nations that surround them will be the most consequential part of the globe in the 21st century. Home to more than 3 billion people, this region is the focal point of the Worlds Energy and trade routes. 40 of the worlds oil supply crisscrosses the indian ocean every day, through critical points like the straits of hormuz. With emerging economies in africa and the Fastest Growing economy and middle class in india, whole economies are changing to account for this global shift in market share. Asias share of global gdp is expected to surpass 50 by the middle of this century. We need to collaborate with india to ensure that the indo pacific is increasingly a place of peace, stability, and growing prosperity. So that it does not become a region of disorder, conflict, and predatory economics. The Worlds Center of gravity is shifting to the heart of the pacific. The u. S. And india, with our shared goals of peace, security, freedom of navigation, and a free and open architecture, must serve as the eastern and western beacons of the indo pacific. Because the port and star board lights between which the region can reach its greatest potential. We must grow with an eye to greater prosperity for our peoples and by the year 2050, india may boast the second largest economy in the world. Indias population with a median age of 25 is expected to surpass that of chinas within the next decade. Getting our Economic Partnership right is critical. The Economic Growth flows from innovative ideas. Fortunately, there are no two countries that encourage innovation better than the United States and india. The exchange of technologies and ideas between bang alor and Silicon Valley is changing the world. The United States and india have a tremendous competitive advantage. Our open societies generate high quality ideas at the speed of free thought. Helping regional partners establish similar systems will deliver solutions to 21st century problems. For that to happen, greater regional connectivity is essential. From silk routes to grand turk roads, south asia was for millenia, a region bound together by the exchange of goods, people, and ideas. But today, its one of the least economically integrated regions in the world. Interregional trade has languished, sitting at around 4 or 5 of total trade. Compare that with asean, where its regional trade stands at 25 of total trade. The World Bank Estimates with barriers removed, interregional trade in south asia would nearly quadruple to over 100 billion. One of the goals is providing nations the right options when it comes to sustainable development. The Millennium Challenge Corporation is one model how we can achieve it. The program is committed to data, and evidence based Decision Making to foster the right circumstances for private investment. Last month, the United States and nepal signed a 500 million compact agreement, the first with a south asian nation, to invest in infrastructure to meet growing electricity and Transportation Needs in nepal. And to promote more trade linkages with partners in the region like india. The United States and india must look for more opportunities to grow this connectivity and our own economic links, even as we look for more ways to facilitate Greater Development and growth for others in the region. But for prosperity to take hold in the indo pacific, security and stability are required. We must evolve as partners in this realm, too. For india, this evolution will entail fully embracing its potential as the leading player in International Security arena. First and foremost, this means Building Security capacity. My good friend and colleague, secretary mattis, was in deli just last month to discuss this. We both look forward to the inaugural two plus two dialogue championed by President Trump and the Prime Minister soon. The fact that the indian nif ye navy was the first user speaks volumes of our shared maritime interest and our need to enhance interoperaability. The proposals the United States put forward, including Aircraft Carrier technologies, the future vertical lift program, and f18 and f16 Fighter Aircraft are all potential Game Changers for our commercial and defense cooperation. The United States militarys record for speed, technology and transparency speaks for itself. As does our commitment to indian gove sovereignty and security. Security issues that concern india are concerns of the United States. Secretary mattis has said the worlds two greatest democracies should have the two greatest militaries. Earlier this year, instructors from the u. S. And indian armies came together to build a u. N. Peacekeeping capacity among african partners, a program we hope to continue expanding. This is a great example of the u. S. And india Building Security capacity and promoting peace in third countries, and serving together as anchors of peace in a very tumultuous world. As we implement President Trumps new south asia strategy, well turn to our partners to ensure greater stability in afghanistan and throughout the region. India is a part