March 31, 2025 03:50 pm (IST)
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India can be America's best partner: Obama
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IBNS) Holding that India should be included as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US President Barack Obama addressing a gathering of students and activists on the concluding day of his three-day visit here on Tuesday said America can not only be a natural partner of India but the best partner as they are both bound by shared democratic values.
"India and USA are not just natural partners, but I believe America can be India's best partner," said Obama addressing an audience comprising Delhi University students at the Town Hall of Siri Fort Auditorium in his last public appearance from the visit.
Obama said the two countries now stand together and the youth of India filled him with hope while the two democracies re not perfect but are fighting to remove inequality.
He said referring to Prime Minister Modi that despite we live in a world of terrible inequality, even a tea seller can be a prime minister.
Obama said the aim of their work is not to see a few do well but everybody has a chance.
"We are all beautiful flowers of the same garden. We are branches of the same majestic tree," said Obama referring to the ideologies of Gandhiji and his words.
Obama thanked India for lifting millions out of poverty and focused on civil nuclear deal breakthrough between the two nations to bring cleaner and renewable energy to India so that everyone has electricity to pursue their goals.
He said every child should be entitled to clean water and breathe clean air.
Obama said USA wants to join in building India's new infrastructure like roads and bullet trains and want to deepen the defence ties.
He said a world without nuclear weapons should be the goal for all.
He said the two nations must do more together and emphasised that UNSC should include India as a permanent member.
He spoke at length on inequality in the world and said people who looked like him could not vote in some parts of the world.
Obama also focused on women empowerment and women security.
He said our nations are strongest when we hold equality of all people and that include our women.
He said to progress nations cannot ignore that every woman has the right to be safe in buses and streets.
Obama also spoke of religious freedom and said every person has the right to practice his faith or not practice without fear of persecution.
First Lady Michelle Obama was also at the venue and Obama referred to her as a strong woman by his side who also challenges him.
He reiterated that the relationship between the two countries is one of the most defining one of the century.
He said this visit opens a new chapter in the relationship of the two countries. He expressed his happiness to be visiting the land of Gandhi who had inspired Martin Luther King Jr in USA.
He also mentioned about Swami Vivekananda's Chicago visit and his famous speech addressing people of America as sisters and brothers as he also addressed the gathering in the same way.
A radio phone-in programme titled Mann Ki Baat featuring both Narendra Modi and Obama will be aired Tuesday evening.
Obama in this visit became the first US President to inspect India's grand Republic Day parade on Jan 26 as the Chief Guest.
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