Speeches and Remarks

Remarks by Consul General
Michael S. Owen
50th Anniversary of Lincoln House
January 23rd, 2008, Lincoln House grounds

January 23, 2008

Good evening, and welcome to Lincoln House.  Thank you all for joining us tonight, as the U.S. Consulate General and the Indo-American Society invite you to enjoy a journey in time.  I am particularly honored to welcome our special guests, Dr. Shahani, Commissioner Mr. Phatak, Ms. Vidya Balan, His Highness Dr. Digvijay Sinh of the Wankaner family, and our India Jazz Suites artists Jason Samuels Smith and Chitresh Das.

We are gathered to celebrate friendship between the people of India and the United States.  It is a friendship that has made a positive difference to millions of families in India, in the United States, and around the world. 

The United States Consulate General moved into this historic building in early 1958, almost precisely 50 years ago.  This beautiful structure was originally built as the summer estate of the Maharaja of Wankaner, and I would like to pay special tribute and to welcome all the members of the former Maharaja’s family who are here with us this evening.  When we moved into Lincoln House half a century ago, we knew then that the U.S.-India relationship would grow, and that the people of western India would play a major role.  Little did we imagine the scale of that growth. 

To take one measure, the number of Indians applying for visas here in Mumbai in 1958 averaged eight per day.  The Consul General enjoyed tea with many of them. 

Today, with well over 1,000 applicants per day, more than a hundred-fold increase, we are working hard to finish construction of a larger Consulate building at the Bandra Kurla Complex to accommodate anticipated further increases. 

Those numbers represent growth in nearly every direction.  Our poster exhibit on 60 Years of U.S.-India Relations and our electronic exhibit, which you will see on these screens tonight, detail our official, commercial, educational, scientific, military, and cultural exchanges over the years.

For those who don’t remember 1958, try to imagine a time when the very first satellites – the Soviet Union’s Sputnik and the United States’ Explorer - had just been successfully launched into orbit.  The microchip – which would have such a profound impact on both our countries - was invented in 1958.   Mother India was the Indian film nominated at the Oscars, and rock and roller Elvis Presley’s athletic dancing on American television ushered in a new youth culture. 

In 1958 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Little Rock, Arkansas, schools must integrate, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s civil rights movement drew in part on his admiration for Mahatma Gandhi’s successes in non-violent protest. 

Fifty years ago the Cold War pitted communism against liberal democracy, and numerous colonies around the world were yet to enjoy their independence.  India and the United States, two strong democracies, had strong historic ties but also challenges in a new environment.  

In the U.S.-India relationship, we’ve gained far more than many could have imagined since 1958. 

Our projected two way trade figure for 2007 is over $41 billion, more than double the level of only three years ago.  Likewise, there are double-digit rates of growth in foreign direct investment flows between our countries.  We have the largest educational exchange relationship in the world, non-stop flights, and a host of medical, technological, and social advances.  All these rest on our sharing of experiences and, most of all, our common respect for democracy, education, and the worth of each individual. 

Where might our societies find ourselves in 2058?  Will we have solved our energy crisis, our environmental dilemmas, and our education and health care problems?  Will we have found peaceful means of resolving conflicts within and among countries? 

Whatever lies ahead, we can be certain that the sharing of ideas and experience will move us closer to reaching our dreams, in our own countries and in our global community.  We are very proud of all that we have accomplished together during our 50 years in Lincoln House, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership between the people of India and the United States of America in the years ahead. 

Thank you, Mr. Nishar, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, all of our sponsors, and all of you joining us tonight, not only for your presence, but for your ongoing commitment to U.S.-India friendship.