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The highlights of president obama's visit to india.
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Naredra Modi have tea in the garden gazebo at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. January 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
"Chalein saath saath; forward together we go."
-- India-U.S. Delhi Declaration of Friendship
President Obama and the First Lady traveled to India this week -- their first time visting the South Asian nation since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in on May 26, 2014. America and India are true global partners in the work of strengthening economies and strong democracies. That is why the President is the first to have visited India twice while in office.
President Barack Obama participates in a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, India. January 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
As Prime Minister Modi said, "This is a natural global partnership. It has become even more relevant in the digital age. It is needed even more in our world for far-reaching changes and widespread turmoil. The success of this partnership is important for our progress and for advancing peace, stability and prosperity around the world."
On Board with Kal Penn: "A Trip of Firsts"
Actor and former Obama administration official Kal Penn gives us a rundown on what brought President Obama to India this time around.
"Abide with Me" : A State Dinner
President Barack Obama toasts Prime Minister Naredra Modi during a State Dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, India. January 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
In his remarks at a reception with President Mukherjee, the President quoted a hymn that was dear to Mahatma Gandhi's heart:
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
"Here in the eventide, Indians and Americans, let us know, in the darkness or day, in good times or bad, whenever one of us looks to the other, we will surely say, abide with me," he said.
Motorcycles, Military Parades, and More: The 66th Republic of India Day Celebrations
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama view the Republic Day Parade with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Rajpath saluting base in New Delhi, India. January 26, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
The President and the Prime Minister of India welcomed President Obama as the chief guest at India's 66th Republic Day celebrations -- a day that honors when India's constitution officially went into effect. President Obama is the first U.S. president to attend this historic event.
President Barack Obama speaks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath saluting base in New Delhi, India. January 26, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama view the Republic Day Parade with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Rajpath saluting base in New Delhi, India. January 26, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Creating Progress: Cooperating in the Fight Against Climate Change
President Barack Obama participates in a traditional greeting with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, India. January 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The President and Prime Minister Modi pledged to enhance U.S.-Indian cooperation on our mutual climate and clean energy goals. From our highly successful U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) umbrella program to technical work on emerging technologies, the U.S. and India made important progress on combating climate change.
The agreements include:
- Enhancing bilateral climate change cooperation to achieve a successful and ambition agreement in Paris this year.
- Cooperating on Hydroflurocarbons to make concrete progress in the Montreal Protocol this year
- Expanding PACE-R, the U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Reserach and Development Center, to extend funding for research on solar energy, energy efficiency, and advanced biofuels.
- Launching air quality cooperation to help urban residents reduce their exposure to harmful levels of air pollution.
See a full list of what the U.S. and India agreed on to combat climate change here .
True Global Partners: Incentivizing Trade and Investment
Under President Obama, trade between the two countries has increased by about 60 percent to nearly $100 billion a year -- a record high. But that's still hundreds of billions less than the trade we do with China. "We've got to do better," the President said, speaking at a U.S.-India Business Council Summit in New Delhi. So today, the President announced a series of additional steps that will generate more than $4 billion in trade and investment with India while supporting thousands of jobs in both countries:
- The Export-Import Bank will commit up to $1 billion in financing to support "Made-in-America" exports to India.
- OPIC will support lending to small and medium businesses across India that will result in more than $1 billion in loans in underserved rural and urban markets.
- The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will aim to leverage nearly $2 billion in investments in renewable energy in India.
Read the President's full remarks here .
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave to the crowd at the Rajpath saluting base following the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, India. January 26, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Tanya Somanader
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7 in 73 years: US presidents' Indian tours
Dwight D Eisenhower (December 9-14, 1959)
For the first 50 years after India's Independence, just three US presidents visited India. In contrast, the last two decades have witnessed four presidential tours minus the forthcoming visit of Donald Trump. ET takes a look at the past visits: First US president to visit India; met President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Nehru; addressed Parliament. The visit came at a time when the US feared India’s democracy could come under pressure if financial assistance wasn’t extended. It hoped that with adequate assistance the country could achieve a reasonable measure of stability which could prove to be a counter to Russian influence. India then was mid-way through its Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61). Economically, India had faced a drought (1957-58) and price pressures were building up; industrial production was low; foreign exchange was ever in short supply. Moreover, Indian military programme claimed internal resources.
Richard Nixon (July 31-August 1, 1969)
Met acting President Hidayatullah and PM Indira Gandhi; was in India for just 23 hours. Nixon was a known Pakistani supporter and was against India’s policy of non-alignment. According to the prevailing US view, Indo-Pak relations were going downhill and the Nixon visit sought to address that. He had earlier visited India in his private capacity in 1964 and 1967 but official US documents indicate his experience was certainly not savoury.
Jimmy Carter (January 1-3, 1978)
Third US president to visit India; met President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and PM Morarji Desai; addressed Parliament; best remembered for his visit to a Gurgaon village, Daulatpur Nasirabad, which was renamed Carterpuri. Carter, who came to deliver a “cold and blunt message” to India over its nuclear ambitions, failed to get the Janata government to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Bill Clinton (March 19-25, 2000)
Met President KR Narayanan; signed joint statement on energy and environment; addressed Parliament. Clinton’s trip was the longest by a US president. Visit seen as a turning point in Indo-US ties that were earlier termed ‘estranged democracies’.
George W Bush (March 1-3, 2006)
Signed US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement. Bush’s visit marked beginning of end of India’s ‘nuclear apartheid’ with the two countries signing Indo-US nuclear deal.
Barack Obama (November 6-9, 2010)
Met President Pratibha Patil and PM Manmohan; addressed Parliament; second US president to visit India in his first term in office. Participated in the US-India Business Council & Entrepreneurship Summit in Mumbai.
Barack Obama (January 24-27, 2015)
Became first US president to be chief guest at Republic Day celebration as also the first to visit India twice while in office. Announced breakthrough on the nuclear deal. Pact was agreed upon in 2008 but had been held up for 6 years because of differences over the liability US firms would face in India in the event of an accident. After this understanding, a large insurance pool was to be set up, without the need for any further legislation. Both sides pledged to increase bilateral trade & step up defence ties. (Source: history.state.gov; media reports)
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