U.S President Barack Obama said earlier today that the United States could be India’s “best partner” as he wrapped up a three-day visit to New Delhi by highlighting the ‘shared values’ of the world’s biggest democracies.
Speaking to an audience of young people, the US president reiterated that the relationship between Washington and New Delhi “can be one of the defining partnerships of this century”.
The speech was the finale of a packed visit which has seen a dramatic upturn in an often troubled relationship, including the signing of a new “friendship” declaration between Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The right-wing premier (accused of supervising the mass murder of thousands of muslims in his native Gujarat) was persona non grata in Washington less than a year ago but has developed a close bond with Obama, with their two countries both keen to counter-balance the rise of China.
“India and the United States are not just natural partners – I believe that America can be India’s best partner,” said Obama after receiving a rapturous welcome from a group of around 1,500 people.
“Of course, only Indians can decide India’s role in the world. But I’m here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together.”
Obama’s speech was the final engagement on his visit, the centre-piece of which was his attendance as chief guest at Monday’s Republic Day parade – one of the biggest honours that India can bestow on a foreign leader.
Both Obama and Modi have been at pains to demonstrate their personal rapport during the visit and announced a breakthrough on a nuclear deal on Sunday that had stalled under India’s last government, although there have been few other substantive policy announcements.
Obama, who hosted Modi in Washington in September, has said the “stars are aligned” to realise the ambitions he expressed when he last visited in 2010 for the two countries to become global partners.
The United States is looking to reinvigorate alliances in the Asia-Pacific as part of Obama’s “pivot” east, and has taken note of Modi’s more assertive stance towards China than his predecessor.
