HT Summit | I reminded Musharraf that US supports democracy: Bush

New Delhi: George W. Bush had one of the most controversial stints as president of the US. He also played a key role in significantly enhancing the bilateral relationship between India and the US. On his second visit to India, as a private citizen, to participate in the annual Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, he spoke to Mint on Friday on a range of issues, including the future of the bilateral relationship that he had fostered, dealing with the vexing issue of Pakistan and the direction of a new climate change treaty. Edited excerpts:

Old friend: Former US president George W. Bush. Ken Cedeno / Bloomberg

First of all, the bilateral relationship forged with previous prime ministers is important for America and I believe it is good for the region and good for the world. India is an important country and it is one with which America shares values.

Secondly, its importance is becoming more relevant as the world recovers from the economic downturn. I think historians will look back and say that isn’t it interesting that one of the reasons behind the recovery is India and other emerging countries like her. That would not have been said 20 or 30 years ago. So, India is a country of vital importance. It is important for peace and prosperity.

By far you are one of the most popular US presidents in India. That is primarily because of the initiatives you undertook to take the relationship between the two countries to an entirely new level. Do you think this intensity can be sustained?

I do. President (Barack) Obama has made this clear in some of his comments. I believe that US-India relations will be based upon mutual respect and we will find areas that we can move forward and obviously there will be some areas of disagreement—but it will be done in a very respectful way.

Your visit also comes at a time when Pakistan is in the throes of an unprecedented internal crisis. What are your thoughts, especially since a key focus of your foreign policy was the subcontinent?

First of all, I thought it was in India’s interests that she have a good bilateral relationship with the United States and that the United States also had a good bilateral relationship with Pakistan. In other words, the era of where you can’t be friends with some or zero-sum is gone.

Secondly, it is very important for the United States to help Pakistan deal with the extremists within its border; those who can be extremely dangerous outside the border and also within Pakistan itself. And, Afghanistan is an important part of making sure that there is regional stability and it is important for the United States to help that democracy succeed.

Do you believe the Taliban problem has spilled over into India?