India, U.S. Must Show The World How Democracy Can Deliver: Kerry

WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said India and the United States have a common responsibility to prove to the world that democracies can deliver for their citizens in the 21st century, as he greeted people of India on their 68th Independence Day.

"In this century India and the United States have a common responsibility: to prove that democracies can deliver for their citizens.

"With the shared prosperity we create for one another and for the world, we can prove to the world the power of our shared ideals," Kerry said in his Independence Day message to the people of India.

"As India celebrates Independence Day, we celebrate with you. We reflect upon the possibilities of the shared future that India and the U.S. will shape together," Kerry said sending greetings on behalf of the U.S. President, Barack Obama.

"When more than half a billion Indian men and women went to the polls last spring, you were a part of the largest democratic exercise in human history.

You showed the world how a diverse people, comprised of citizens from different faiths, speaking many different languages, can determine a common future," he said referring to the general elections held early this year.

Kerry, who was in India last month for the fifth India-US Strategic Dialogue said, "I saw first-hand India's dynamism and the vital importance of deepening the ties between our nations when I travelled to New Delhi last month for our 5th annual Strategic Dialogue.

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I-Day Greeting: In 21st Century India, U.S. Have Common Responsibility, Says Kerry