Our vision is not just of economic growth, but also of a growth which would improve the life of the common man.

When I became finance minister in 1991, I discovered that the wealth tax rates income - there was taxation on wealth. It was so atrocious and so high that actually nobody could accumulate money in an honest way. I removed that tax, and the result was that Indian companies for the first time acquired an incentive to grow big, to grow rich.

We need multiculturalism, respect for diversity, tolerance, respect for diverse faiths.

If we have access to nuclear energy, that adds to our maneuverability in ensuring energy security as India marches on, on the path to accelerated development.

I think there are enormous possibilities. And today there are no I think barriers to increased cooperation with India and the United States.

The emergence of India as a major global power is an idea whose time has come. This is a legitimate ambition for China. This is a legitimate ambition for India. And the challenge for the humanity is to evolve a world system in which the legitimate ambitions of both our countries can find constructive expression without threatening anybody else.

I look upon India-U.S. nuclear cooperation as an act of historic reconciliation.