Obama welcomes Indian prime minister at start of elaborate state visit aimed to ease tensions
By Foster Klug, APTuesday, November 24, 2009
Obama welcomes Indian PM at start of state visit
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday welcomed the Indian leader to the White House, opening an elaborate state visit that will include talks designed to overcome differences on climate change and U.S. ties with Indian rivals China and Pakistan.
Obama said it was “fitting” that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the first state visitor of his administration. He said the two countries share the bold experiment of becoming democracies after rule by a colonial power and in modern times both have experienced the pain of international terrorism.
Obama recalled that it was 60 years ago that President Harry Truman welcomed to the White House the first prime minister of newly independent India.
Singh commented that India and the U.S. are separated by distance but bound by national values.
Chilly, damp weather caused the White House to move the ceremony indoors, where Singh and Obama stood before photographers and television cameras in the East Room as a Marine band played the national anthems of both countries.
Singh has said he’s optimistic about the future of the U.S.-Indian relationship and is looking for a “strategic partnership of global dimensions.” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called Singh’s visit “a show of respect” acknowledging India’s growing economic and political power.
