The Hindu : Front Page : India indispensable to a future we want to build, says Obama

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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009
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India indispensable to a future we want to build, says Obama

Partnership created on principle and pragmatism: Manmohan

— PHOTO: AFP

FOR FIRM TIES: U.S. President Barack Obama greets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the East Room of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.

Washington: United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, telling him that India was “indispensable” to a future “we want to build.”

Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama personally received Dr. Singh, the first State Guest of the 10-month-old Obama Administration, and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the White House.

“Yours is the first official state visit of my presidency, it’s fitting that you and India be so recognised,” Mr. Obama told the Prime Minister.

He said: “we want to build a future in which India is indispensable. India and the U.S. can strengthen the global economic recovery. As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world’s most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons.”

On his part, Dr. Singh said, “We should cooperate in addressing global challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner, and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons.”

The ceremonial welcome, which was planned at the White House lawns, had to be shifted to the sprawling mansion due to rain. A 19-gun salute was given to Dr. Singh.

As Dr. Singh, dressed in a black “bandgala” and his signature blue turban, and Mr. Obama, attired in a formal black suit, walked in together into the East Room of the mansion, a Marine Band played the national anthems of both nations.

“This visit reflects the high esteem in which I and the American people hold your wise leadership. It reflects the abiding bonds of respect and friendship between our people, including our friends in the Indian-American community, who join us here today,” Mr. Obama said.

Sharing a common story

Noting that India and the U.S. shared a “common story” of two “proud people,” who struggled to break free from an empire and declare their independence, Mr. Obama pointed out that they were two great republics dedicated to ideals of liberty, justice, equality, and the “never-ending work of perfecting their union.”

Dr. Singh said though India and America were “separated by distance,” they were bound together by the values of democracy, humanism, rule of law, and respect of fundamental human freedoms. “Over the years, we have built upon these values and created a partnership that is based upon both principle and pragmatism. Our relations have been transformed, and today they encompass cooperation in all areas of human activity.”

He said, “I’ve come today to build upon these successes and to strengthen our multi-faceted relationship,” he said adding, India sought to broaden and deepen the strategic partnership and to work with the U.S. to meet the challenges of a fast-changing world in this 21st century. — PTI

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