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Obama outlines India vision - from natural to global partners
As he arrives in India for a three-day visit, his second in six years,
US President Barack Obama has exuded hope about enhanced ties with
"natural partner" India, saying he would like to think that the stars
are aligned to finally realise his vision of the two countries being
"global partners".
In an email interview with India Today weekly
magazine, which is to be published in its upcoming issue, the US
president, who arrives Jan 25, touched on several issues, including his
relationship with former prime minister Manmohan Singh, acknowledging
that the two countries have differences and can work around them, his
appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s desire for wanting to
take the relationship forward, and also the reason for accepting the
invite.
Obama, who is the first US president to be chief guest at
the Republic Day parade, also spoke strongly on terror emanating from
Pakistan, saying that Washington has made it clear that “even as the US
works with Pakistan to meet the threat of terrorism, safe havens within
Pakistan are not acceptable and that those behind the Mumbai terrorist
attacks must face justiceâ€.
He said Modi’s â€remarkable life story
-– from tea-seller to prime minister -- is a reflection of the
determination of the Indian people to succeedâ€.
Obama said Modi
has a “clear vision of the big things he wants India to achieve, and
I've been impressed with his energy and his readiness to address many of
the barriers that have stood in the way of greater economic growth...
In particular, I appreciate the prime minister's eagerness to take the
India-us partnership to the next levelâ€.
On former prime minister
Singh, with whom he had interacted several times during bilateral
summits, Obama said he had “a strong relationship with prime minister
Singh, and he was a close partnerâ€.
“Now, Prime Minister Modi's
election and his commitment to a new chapter in the relationship between
our countries gives us an opportunity to further energise our
partnership.â€
“I’d like to think that the stars are aligned to
finally realise the vision I outlined in Parliament - India and America
as true global partners,†he said.
“That's why I accepted the
generous invitation to become the first US president to attend Republic
Day as the chief guest,†he said and added that he was deeply honoured
to join in celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Indian Constitution.
Acknowledging
the differences between the two nations, the US president said: “No two
nations agree on everything, and so, of course, sometimes India and the
United States will disagree. But I believe that we can work through any
differences in a spirit of mutual respect. Moreover, whatever
differences we may have are greatly outweighed by the many interests we
have in common.â€
He said that for this, “good communication and coordination†is required not just between the leaders but between governments.
“When
those of us at the leadership level agree on a course of action, our
governments have to actually implement our decisions. We have to make
sure that words are matched by deeds,†he said, in a tacit indication of
the delay in implementation of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. The deal
was inked in 2005 and the US Congress approved of the 123 agreement
bill and it was signed into law in 2008. But India’s tough civil nuclear
liability law, which puts the onus on suppliers, has held up
implementation of the mega deal.
Obama also voiced keenness in
working together with India in multilateral fora, saying no country can
alone meet the challenges thrown up by the world. “That’s why I'm
committed to forging a greater partnership with India, both on a
bilateral basis and within multilateral organisations."
“And
even as we expand our cooperation on a bilateral basis, we have to keep
working to make sure that multilateral institutions are effective.
That's why I pushed for elevating the role of the G20 to give emerging
economies, including India, a greater voice in global economic decision
making. And that’s why I believe that a reformed UN Security Council
should include India as a permanent member.â€
On ways to improve
the bilateral relationship, Obama said the specific areas that both can
improve ties in include creating jobs, improving education and creating
more opportunities, including for girls and women. He called for
reducing the barriers to trade, investment, and high-tech collaboration.
“American
companies are ready to help build the infrastructure that will be the
catalyst for the next wave of Indian growth,†he said and outlined other
areas of cooperation including deeper security cooperation, including
in maritime security in the Asia-Pacific, and climate change.