New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) US President Barack Obama's stress during his speech in India on the right of freedom of individuals to profess, practice and propagate religion was a message for Americans too, US Ambassador Richard Verma said Friday.
"You should look into the speech carefully...this is consistent with what he said at the UN General Assembly, that we have to stand up for all people... He talked as much about the US and our challenges, as he talked about India," Verma told Karan Thapar in an interview on Headlines Today channel.
"The words speak for themselves and they are powerful, as are the words he said before... that we seek out the best in people and that peace often starts within one's heart," he said.
"...we also have to look at what's in hearts and minds of people, support their democratic aspirations, dreams, support for rights for equality and tolerance... he (Obama) was talking as much to American people and people around the world as he was to people of India," Verma said.
Obama Tuesday, in his only public engagement during his three-day India visit, stressed on the right of freedom of individuals to profess, practice and propagate religion and said it was important for India with its multiplicity of faiths to uphold this fundamental right.
Addressing a town hall-style meeting at the Siri Fort Auditorium here, that had a large audience of young people, the US president spoke extensively on the rights enshrined for people in the Indian and American Constitutions.
He said nations were the strongest when they treats all their citizens as "god's children, all equal and worthy".
On the Indo-US nuclear deal, Ambassador Verma said the US is committed to seeing through the civil nuclear deal with India.
"...We are committed to seeing this (Indo-US nuclear deal) through, so 300 million people, who do not have electricity, can actually get a shot at it," Verma said.
Verma, who is an American of Indian-origin, said the US will work with India on the idea of creating an insurance pool.
"Insurance pool is a novel idea. We are going to work with the Indian government in providing whatever technical consultation is required."
"Insurance pool will be set up according to international standards," he added.
Verma said the US will keep a watch in the coming years if India is able to generate electricity as planned through nuclear power.
On the defence agreements signed between India and the US, the ambassador said it was a "breakthrough" and "far reaching in many respects".
"It (Defence Framework Agreement) charts the way for next 10 years. It was in 2005 when we first signed (defence) no one knew that we would and we agreed to concentrate on joint training, joint exercises, and combating weapons of mass destruction, and piracy and other common concerns, so I think it is a breakthrough," he said.
IPL 2024: Dhoni took the catch by jumping 2.3 meters in a reaction time of 0.6 seconds, and showed fitness at the age of 42
In the seventh match of IPL 2024, Mahendra Singh Dhoni did something which surprised the whole world. At the age of 42, he made such a brilliant catch in the match against Gujarat Titans, to which
Know where more than 1000 earthquake tremors occurred in less than 48 hours, so far no damage has been done
About 1,100 mild earthquakes have been felt in less than 48 hours on one of Portugal's mid-Atlantic volcanic islands. Experts have termed these earthquake tremors as an earthquake crisis and officials
SC stays Delhi HC order, trial in Uber rape case
New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The Supreme Court here on Tuesday stayed the March 4 Delhi High Court order permitting the repeat cross-examination of the Delhi Uber rape case victim and other witnesses
Corona's havoc: CS Foundation and Executive exams will not happen in June, read this order
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has decided to postpone the ICSI CS exam in June 2021 amid the rapidly growing coronavirus crisis in the country. The ICSI CS Executive and Professional
'Canada's allegations are serious...', America came out in support of Trudeau government in Nijjar murder case; What did it demand from India?
India vs Canada issue Canada has made several allegations against India regarding the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, after which relations between the two countries have
Corona returned to China again: Lockdown in Lanzhou, order to imprison 40 lakh population in homes
Coronavirus infection is increasing in many parts of China. Because of this, the Chinese government has imposed a lockdown in the northwestern city of Lanzhou. The administration says that people will
Major terrorist attack plot in Kashmir failed, arms consignment recovered from Kupwara
Before the start of the annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath, terrorist organizations are hatching a big conspiracy to create an atmosphere of panic in the Kashmir Valley. The threat letter was written
Energy Crisis: India will become the center of energy connectivity in South Asia regions, and will play a big role
The way the Ukraine war has brought forth the problem of an energy crisis in the whole world, the concern of small countries in South Asia has also increased. Not only Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
Karan Johar: Karan Johar took a dig at Parineeti, and hit back at the actress's statement about being offered films at the party.
Parineeti Chopra was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's film 'Amar Singh Chamkila'. He received much appreciation from the audience and critics for his performance in the film. He worked with Diljit Dosanjh in
Corona In India : The daily number of corona cases in the country has crossed 11 thousand; Active patients are also more than 49 thousand
Corona cases are continuously increasing in the country. In the last 24 hours, more than 11 thousand new cases of corona infection have been reported. With this, the figure of such corona infected who
