Political India: Engaging America

From The Hindu

United States President Barack Obama extended felicitations to India on the occasion of Republic Day, saying: “On behalf of the American people, I send my best wishes to the people of India and to those here in the U.S. and around the world who are celebrating the Indian Republic Day.”

Recalling his recent trip to India, Mr. Obama added that he and First Lady Michelle Obama were honoured to visit India in November as the country marked the 60th year of its democratic constitution.

“As I said then, the U.S. and India are not only the world's two largest democracies; we are two pluralistic societies that believe in the potential and dignity of every human being,” he said.

Emphasising the role of Indian-Americans as a link between the two countries, Mr. Obama said: “These are the beliefs that inspire the nearly three million Americans who can trace their roots to India — and all of whom enrich our society.”

'Defining partnership'

Touching upon what has now become a tagline for the cordial and expansive nature of the bilateral relationship, the President said that it was their belief in pluralism and human dignity that led him and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make the U.S.-India relationship “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”

Mr. Obama said that he hoped that the enduring lessons of this Republic Day would inspire the two nations to “seek a future of greater prosperity and opportunity for both our peoples.”