Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) In what is seen as the first public recognition of India as a "nuclear power", US President Barack Obama Tuesday said it can be a full partner of the US in preventing the spread of atomic weapons and pursuing the shared vision of a nuclear arms-free world.

"As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world's most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in the first state visit of his presidency.

Manmohan Singh in turn said: "We should cooperate in addressing global challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner, and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons."

Obama for early completion of n-deal, hails India as rising global power

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Showering praise on "rising and responsible global power" India, US President Barack Obama has said that he is "fully committed" to completing the landmark civil nuclear deal and underlined that the ties between the two countries will be "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century".

India and the US Tuesday signed an ambitious pact on 'advancing global security and countering terrorism', counter-terrorism and five other pacts in areas of education and development, health cooperation, economic trade and agriculture, and green partnerships to broaden the scope of their strategic partnership.

Rolling out the red carpet for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the White House in the first official state visit of his presidency, Obama Tuesday hailed India as an "indispensable" partner and "a rising and responsible global power" saying US-India ties will be a "defining partnership of the 21st century".

Opening a joint press conference with a "Namaste", Obama spoke of "our admiration for the Prime Minister's leadership, the deep bonds between the peoples of the US and India, and the historic opportunity we have to strengthen and broaden the partnership between our nations."

"India today is a rising and responsible global power. Indian leadership is expanding prosperity and the security across the region," Obama said at a joint press meet after wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The US welcomes and encourages India's leadership role in helping to shape the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Asia," Obama said.

"Beyond Asia, as the world's largest multi-ethnic democracy, as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and as a member of the G20, India will play a pivotal role in meeting the major challenges we face today.

Obama's robust endorsement of India's role as a global power came days after he acknowledged China's important role in South Asia in a US-China joint statement issued after his talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing.

The statement was viewed by some sections in India as sign of the higher status China enjoyed under the Obama dispensation at the cost of India.

Obama stressed on the need to expand the scope of their strategic dialogue in areas ranging from big-ticket issues like counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and climate change to development sectors of education, health and energy.

He said that India had a "pivotal role" beyond Asia in combating global challenges.

Allaying concerns in India, Obama "reaffirmed" his administration's commitment to fully implement the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement," a key objective that Manmohan Singh had set out for the visit.

"We agreed on the early and full implementation of our Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement," said the Prime Minister even as he acknowledged in response to a question that a "a few 'i's' and 't's' which" still need to be crossed

"As far as the nuclear deal is concerned, the President has reaffirmed that it is the common resolve of our two governments to operationalise the nuclear deal as early as possible," said Manmohan Singh

"There are a few "i's" that have to be dotted and "t's" which have to be crossed and I am confident and I have the assurance of the President that that process can be completed without much further loss of time," he said.

A crucial pact on reprocessing spent fuel, which the two sides were negotiating till the last moment, however, could not be finalized due to differences of perceptions over the draft text.

The differences between the two sides had been narrowed down to one and a half clause in the draft text for an agreement on reprocessing spent fuel in a dedicated national facility under international safeguards, reliable sources said.

The conclusion of the reprocessing pact, a key US commitment under the 123 bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement, would pave the way for the resumption of atomic trade between the two countries. Last month, India announced two sites for American nuclear companies in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

The prime minister also plugged for an agreement on transfer of high technologies to India, another key objective of his visit that still seemed to be a bit distant.

"Our strategic partnership should facilitate transfer of high technologies to India," he said. "The lifting of US export controls on high technology exports to India will open vast opportunities for giant research and development efforts."

In their first summit meeting, the two leaders found common ground in working together for continuing international engagement in Afghanistan to defeat Al Qaeda and its allies in the region.

In deference to India's sensitivities, Obama indicated that the US has no desire to intervene in the conflict between India and Pakistan.

Recalling the upcoming anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the two sides had also "agreed to deepen our cooperation against transnational threats.

"The American people join our Indian friends in remembering the horrific attacks in Mumbai one year ago this week," he said. "To prevent future attacks, we agreed that our law enforcement and intelligence agencies will work even closer, including sharing more information," he said.

Earlier, chilly, damp weather forced the White House to move the welcome ceremony indoors where Manmohan Singh and Obama stood before photographers and television cameras in the East Room.

'A moment of great opportunity' to build nuclear free world: Manmohan Singh 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday called his state visit to the US "a moment of great opportunity in our relationship" to address global challenges of terrorism, making the environment cleaner and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

"This is a moment of great opportunity in our relationship," he said as US President Barack Obama rolled out the red carpet for him in the first official state visit of his presidency.

"India and the US can, and must, work together to harness the immense potential of our talented and enterprising people, and support each other's growth and prosperity," he said replying to Obama's warm words of welcome.

Manmohan Singh said: "India and America are separated by distance, but bound together by the values of democracy, pluralism, rule of law, and respect for fundamental human freedoms.

"Over the years, we have built upon these values and created a partnership that is based upon both principle and pragmatism. Our relations have been transformed, and today they encompass cooperation in all areas of human activity," he noted.

The prime minister said amid applause he had come "to build upon these successes and to strengthen our multifaceted relationship. We seek to broaden and deepen our strategic partnership, and to work with the US to meet these challenges of a fast-changing world in this 21st century."

Manmohan Singh also appreciated Obama's "strong personal commitment to our bilateral relationship."

Obama, Manmohan vow to implement nuclear deal 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Reaffirming the "global strategic partnership between India and the United States", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama have vowed to implement their landmark nuclear deal to realise its full potential.

"The two leaders reiterated their intention to realise the full potential of the India-US Agreement for cooperation concerning the peaceful use of nuclear energy through the implementation of its provisions," said a joint statement issued Tuesday after their summit meeting in the Oval office during the prime minister's state visit.

"They agreed to expedite US firms' participation in the implementation of this agreement," the statement said without indicating a time frame.

Regarding transfer of high technology, another key objective of Manmohan Singh's visit, the two leaders "agreed that strengthening high technology trade between their countries is in the spirit of their strategic dialogue and partnership.

"They reiterated their shared commitment to technology security and that it is in their mutual interest to invigorate this area of their partnership," the statement said.

The two leaders committed to continue pursuing mutually beneficial defence cooperation through the existing security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defence exercises, trade and technology transfer and collaboration.

They recognised the scope for cooperation in the areas of non-traditional threats to security, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime security and protecting sea lanes of communication, the statement said. "They agreed to expedite necessary arrangements to facilitate these activities."

Manmohan Singh and Obama also agreed to collaborate in the application of their space technology and related scientific capabilities in outer space and for development purposes, including in the field of agriculture.

Obama-Singh or Singh-Obama: what will it be? 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have agreed on increasing ties between the two countries' universities under a new programme that the president suggested could be aptly named Obama-Singh or Singh-Obama 21st Century Knowledge Initiative.

"We agreed to expand the educational exchanges that will fuel our knowledge-based economies," he said at a joint press conference Tuesday after their summit meeting in the oval office.

"We're dramatically expanding the Fulbright-Nehru programme that brings so many of our students and scholars together, especially in science and technology," he said.

"And we are increasing ties and exchanges between our universities and community colleges as part of a new Obama-Singh or Singh-Obama 21st Century Knowledge Initiative," Obama said amid laughter. "We think it's appropriately named," he added with just a hint of a smile.

India, US to work for Copenhagen success 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Setting aside their differences over climate change, India and the US Tuesday decided to forge a green partnership and resolved to work for a substantive outcome at the Cophenhagen summit.

"President Obama and I agreed on the need for a substantive and comprehensive outcome, which would cover mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama after their talks.

We reaffirmed our intention to work to this end bilaterally and with all other countries, he added.

"Just as we partnered each other in the shaping of the knowledge economy, we have the opportunity today to become partners in developing the green economy," he said.

Underlining India's desire to benefit from clean and energy efficient technologies from the US, Manmohan Singh stressed that the India-US partnership will contribute to global efforts to combat climate change and achieve energy security.

With just weeks to go before the Dec 7-18 Copenhagen international summit on climate change that seeks to find a successor to the Kyoto protocol, Obama stressed on "the need for all countries to do what is necessary to reach a strong operational agreement that will confront the threat of climate change while serving as a stepping stone to a legally binding treaty."

"And to that end, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and I made important progress today," he said.

Lauding India's leadership in areas like green buildings and energy efficiency, Obama announced that the two countries have agreed to launch a clean energy initiative, a green partnership to reduce poverty through sustainable and equitable development and a historic effort to phase out subsidies on fossil fuels.

India has consistently advocated the position of the differential responsibilities of developed and developing countries over carbon reduction targets.

New Delhi wants developed countries to take deeper cuts and refused to accept any reduction target on grounds that such targets would affect prospects of economic growth in developing countries.

Obama pledges to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan 

Washington, Nov 25 (DPA) US President Barack Obama said Tuesday he will "finish the job" in Afghanistan, as he contemplates a new strategy for the country that he is expected to announce "shortly".

Obama has refused to be pinned down on when he intends to outline the plan after holding weeks of discussions with his war council, the latest of which took place Monday evening. US media reported Tuesday he will do so in a prime time address Dec 1.

"I will be making an announcement to the American people about how we intend to move forward. I will be doing so shortly," Obama said during a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Obama's thinking on Afghanistan has been tightly kept quiet by the White House, including on whether he'll grant the request from his top commander in Afghanistan for an additional 40,000 troops.

The war in Afghanistan has continued to go badly since Obama took office in January. The rate of US deaths has grown steadily while public support for the war has been shrinking.

"I've also indicated that, after eight years, some of those years in which we did not have ... either the resources or the strategy to get the job done, it is my intention to finish the job," Obama said.

"I feel very confident that when the American people hear a clear rationale for what we're doing there and how we intend to achieve our goals, that they will be supportive," he added.

General Stanley McChrystal wants an additional 40,000 troops on top of the 68,000 already there to ramp up counterinsurgency efforts to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Bring perpetrators of Mumbai attack to justice: Obama, Manmohan 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) In a message clearly directed at Pakistan. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama have "underscored the absolute imperative to bring to justice" the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbau attack on the eve of the terror assault's first anniversary.

"On the eve of its first anniversary, President Obama reiterated the United States's condemnation of the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008," said a Joint Statement issued Tuesday after their meeting in the Oval office during the Prime Minsiter's State visit, the first of the Obama presidency.

"The two leaders agreed that resolute and credible steps must be taken to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries that provide shelter to terrorists and their activities," it said. "These undermine security and stability in the region and around the world."

Manmohan Singh and Obama "decided on a Counter-terrorism Cooperation Initiative to expand collaboration on counter-terrorism, information sharing, and capacity building," the statement said, as "They expressed their grave concern about the threat posed by terrorism and violent extremists emanating from India's neighbourhood, whose impact is felt beyond the region."

"They vowed to redouble their efforts to deal effectively with terrorism, while protecting their countries' common ideals and shared values and committed themselves to strengthening global consensus and legal regimes against terrorism.

The two leaders recognized that the India-US partnership is indispensable for global peace and security, it said asserting, "The interests of both countries are best advanced through the values mirrored in their societies."

"They acknowledged the common threat that international terrorism poses to regional and global security," the statement said adding. "They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere."

India, US to expand strategic partnership for global good 

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Reaffirming the "global strategic partnership between India and the United States, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama have vowed to expand it for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, and for the betterment of the world.

As a Joint Statement issued Tuesday after their meeting in the Oval Office with all the bells and whistles of a state visit, the first of the Obama presidency, said: "President Obama stated the United States looks forward to a stable and prosperous India playing an increasingly important role in world affairs."

The two leaders "today reaffirmed the global strategic partnership between India and the United States, and launched a new phase in this partnership," it said as "they committed to build upon the India-US Strategic Dialogue announced in July 2009."

"Commending the deepening bilateral cooperation between the world's two largest democracies across a broad spectrum of human endeavours, the two leaders recognized that the common ideals and complementary strengths of India and the United States today provide a foundation for addressing the global challenges of the 21st century."

The two leaders noted that the shared values cherished by their peoples and espoused by their founders - democracy, pluralism, tolerance, openness, and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights - are acquiring an increasingly greater prominence in building a more peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, secure and sustainable world.

"These values are exemplified by the vibrant linkages between their peoples, which are a unique asset for both countries, and are reflected in the role played by the Indian-American community," the Joint Statement said.

"The two leaders resolved to harness these shared strengths and to expand the US-India global partnership for the benefit of their countries, for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, and for the betterment of the world," it said.

India, US vow to expand strategic partnership for 'better world'

Washington, Nov 25 (IANS) Vowing to expand the India-US "global strategic partnership for a better world", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama have set an agenda in five key areas ranging from countering terrorism to stimulating global economic revival.

"President Obama stated the United States looks forward to a stable and prosperous India playing an increasingly important role in world affairs," said a joint statement issued Tuesday after their summit meeting in the Oval Office amid the glitz and glamour of a state visit, the first of the Obama presidency.

The two leaders "reaffirmed the global strategic partnership between India and the United States, and launched a new phase in this partnership," it said as "they committed to build upon the India-US Strategic Dialogue announced in July 2009".

The statement titled "India And The United States: Partnership For A Better World" listed a wide ranging agenda:

* Advancing Global Security And Countering Terrorism;

* Ensuring Sustainable Global Development And A Clean Energy Future;

* Stimulating Global Economic Revival;

* Educating And Empowering Future Generations; and

* Protecting The Health Of Our People.

Renewing their commitment to expand cooperation on strategic issues facing both countries and the world, Manmohan Singh and Obama committed to redouble their collective efforts to deal effectively with terrorism as part of the Counter-terrorism Cooperation Initiative.

The two leaders also launched a Green Partnership, reaffirming their countries' strong commitment to taking vigorous action to combat climate change, ensuring their mutual energy security, working towards global food security, and building a clean energy economy that will drive investment, job creation, and economic growth throughout the 21st century.

Toward that end, Manmohan Singh and Obama agreed on a comprehensive memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on energy security, energy efficiency, clean energy, and climate change.

They affirmed that the Copenhagen climate summit outcome must be comprehensive and cover mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technology. Moreover, it should reflect emission reduction targets for developed countries and nationally appropriate mitigation actions by developing countries, they said and resolved to take significant mitigation actions and to stand by these commitments.

The United States, the world's largest economy, and India, one of the world's fastest growing economies, committed to working together to stimulate a global economic revival, to strengthen global economic and financial institutions, to work toward a balanced and ambitious outcome in the Doha Round negotiations, and to promote global food security.

US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will establish a new US-India Economic and Financial Partnership to strengthen bilateral engagement on macroeconomic, financial sector, development, and infrastructure related issues.

Geithner will visit India in early 2010 for the launch of this new partnership with Mukherjee and other economic and regulatory counterparts.

In meeting the demands of a changing world economy, the two leaders committed to building an enhanced India-US strategic partnership in education that seeks to advance solutions to the defining global challenges that their countries face.

Expanding higher education cooperation through increased exchanges and greater academic collaboration, as well as enhancing the role of the private sector, are important elements to this strategic approach.

Manmohan Singh and Obama also reaffirmed their countries' strong commitment to advancing public health and biomedical research and programming collaborations between India and the US.

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