U.S. President Barack Obama sent his congratulations to all who will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of India’s Independence this weekend and said, “Indians around the world can not only look back on their history with pride, but can also look ahead to a future filled with hope and further progress.”
Speaking on behalf of his entire administration and the American people Mr. Obama noted that ever since August 15, 1947, India’s non-violent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law had been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world.
Underscoring the profound effect of India’s example on many countries, including the United States he said that leaders of the civil rights movement here, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had spoke of the debt they owed to Mahatma Gandhi and the over two million Indian-Americans were living examples of the bonds that bound India and the U.S.. The President added that the accomplishments of the Indian-American community “have become well-known and admired in both countries.”
Touching upon the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, which is expected to get a fillip from the President’s visit to India later this year he said, “The strategic partnership between our countries will continue to grow, and I am looking forward to my November visit to India.”
Reiterating the words he had used to describe the relationship during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s state visit last year, Mr. Obama said,” Our goal is to make this one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
Keywords: India-U.S. relations, Barack Obama, Independence Day
Comments:
If he really thinks so, why are US State Dept. policies always inimical to India's interests and why this unending tilt towards their beloved Pakistan?
Mr Obama, you are talking about the India of the past. Yes, please visit and taste, smell the India of today. We reek of corruption and have no values to speak of. It's all lost in the past fifty years, and the best part is that our citizens have become used to the idea. Our democracy is complacent and is in deep decline. From top to bottom the country is in decay. Maybe, your visit will spark a change, we can only hope.
India’s non-violent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law ................What a joke!...I bet Mr Obama doesn't know about the high and low levels of corruption.
It is apt for him to remember and highlight about Mahatma at this juncture and let us thank President Obama
Sincere, impressive, touching; would touch every heart in India. Thanks President Obama, do maintain these feelings towards India and the Indians
India is not lucky. Except for a few leaders like Indira Gandhi, Vajpayee, Manmohan, Rahul Gandhi, India has not found genuine leader. Our politicians are always in a competetion for money. Thousands and thousand tons of crops are wasting in the godown. Our leaders cannot find a solution to use them.
Yes , India is a great democracy and its nice to see 'the USA president' praising its democratic values and its non violent freedom struggle. But the point to note is that USA is going to become heavily dependent on India in the coming future. Hence the praises.
It should not drag India into war.
Pray god to continue to grow this friendship more and more,
We are proud to be a Indians. I just don't love India, I will die for India. jai hind........
Thanks for his wish for our independence. Thanks once again, sir.
Mahatma Gandhi's great ideas and principles should be taught to all kinds of Republicans world over who make huge profits out of sales of weapons of mass destruction.
Nice Lip Service!
Yes we are proud of our freedom and our country is better than any other country. I love my India, our India
India the nation today is a picture of abject neglect and despair, where every righteous person has a hard time reconciling himself or herself to the state of affairs. Apathy is the biggest problem facing India today. We're not even aware of how backward we are.
Just make a visit to Kashmir Mr.Obama, and you will see the real face of INDIA. Indian forces fire on peaceful demonstrators.
Obama still remembers our Gandiji,but we Indians conveniently write him off.
One should be lucky to born in a country like India
I like you very much .If anybody is great after Mandela. Yhat is you only.
Obama proved that he is a leader capable of ascertaining the potential and possibilities of great Indian Democracy. If he means it he maybe ready to support the Indian demand for U N Security Council membership.
It is sad to note that such careless appreciation for India comes from Mr Obama's mouth. He is probably grossly uninformed or at least grossly misinformed about India, where the system of government can be called anything rather than democracy. Obama seems to be turning a blind eye to India's handling of Kashmir issue.
The US President's liking for Gandhi's legacy through Martin Luther King Jr. is well known. So is the contribution of two million Indian- Americans.These two great democracies must come closer for their own benefit and the humanity at large.
Mr Barack Obama may have to moderate his rhetoric on Indians taking away American jobs. Indian entrepreneurs also create jobs. The recent step of increasing visa fees is not going to help matters in bilateral relations either.
Yes, India is a beacon of hope. Its willingness to be the victim of terrorism is to be lauded.Send more billions to Pakistan,strengthen the ISI so they can plan more attacks against the US Army and Indian civilians.Americans know India is susceptible to flattery and will take any misery as long as they are flattered. Beacon of Hope indeed!.
Happy Independence Day to all my Indian brothers and sisters
Underscoring the profound effect of India’s example on many countries, including the United States he said that leaders of the civil rights movement here, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had spoken of the debt they owed to Mahatma Gandhi and the over two million Indian-Americans were living examples of the bonds that bound India and the U.S.. The President added that the accomplishments of the Indian-American community “have become well-known and admired in both countries.”
President Obama's words are indeed heartening with his style and oratory. But world awaits his best actions. Fully aware that the whole world is yet to recover from the economic downturn and India (and China) faring reasonably well he has approved the bill of hiking visa fees without blinking the eye so that some money from India can be tapped this way.
Very nice to see the comment from the world leader.Speaking on behalf of his entire administration and the American people Mr. Obama noted that ever since August 15, 1947, India's non-violent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law had been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world;.. I am proud to be Indian.. Wish you a very happy independence day...Jai Hind..
Thank you Mr Obama for your thoughtful comments.
It's disheartening to see some negative comments about India...
If we compare with other neighboring countries we are in a great position despite all the ethnic and linguistic differences...
As far as corruption goes it's largely due to our indifference towards our politics.
Politics is thought to be some thing cheap when it's the backbone of a democratic nation..more young people should step into politics and act honestly...then our country can flourish..
All we do is crib about the problems and say "India is like this and like tat" let's act more responsibly. Our countries' future is in our own hands...
On the one hand, Indian democracy is a "beacon of hope". Yet, his trade policies do not attempt to strengthen ties. Rather, he announced plans in Milwaukee to "Americanise" production of goods and services, and tax outsourcing. When this "beacon of hope" keeps asking for international support on terrorism and Pakistan, USA, and its prolific president, have nothing much to say.