New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) "Sisters and brothers of India", is how US President Barack Obama addressed a town hall style gathering here Tuesday, stressing that the ties between the two countries can be the "defining partnership of the century".
In his speech at the Siri Fort Auditorium before a gathering largely comprising young people, students, NGOs and diplomats, Obama said: “I believe that the relationship between India and the US can become the defining partnership of the century".
He said he is "optimistic of the future" of the two countries and added that he is proud to be India's partner, "proud to be your friend".
Obama struck a personal chord with the mainly youthful crowd, saying he was very impressed with the daredevilry of the motorcycle contingent riding Royal Enfield bikes and wished he could ride a bike too.
"But the Secret Service does not let me ride motor cycles", and also remarked that he cannot dance as well as his wife Michelle.
In a speech where he touched on the need for India and the US to work together on climate change, on how the US can partner India in its growth story, in defence cooperation and becoming partners in the security of the Asia-Pacific region, the American president also stressed on the need for the government to uphold the freedom of religion written in the constitution.
He recalled Swami Vivekananda and his speech in Chicago where he addressed the gathering as "Sisters and brothers of America" and said he is going to address the audience likewise, and said "Sisters and brothers of India", and repeated it again in the middle of the speech.
Obama also touched on human rights and the important role of women in building homes, societies. "We must work for a society where everybody has a chance, everybody who can work, and that includes our women," he said.
He mentioned his wife Michelle who accompanied him to the auditorium and said :"I am married to a very strong and talented woman, Michelle is not afraid to speak her mind to me", and added that he is proud of his two daughters. He also said it is necessary to ensure women can walk the streets with safety and security.
He also said he was happy to see so many women commanding contingents in the Republic Day parade and specially mentioned the woman who commanded the guard of honour accorded to him at Rashtrapati Bhavan Jan 25.
Obama recounted how in his last visit he had visited the Humayun's Tomb and met the families of some labourers working there.
The little son of one of them, Vishal, is today a 16-year old, he said, and added he was happy to note that Vishal today studies and dreams of joining the armed forces "an example of the talent that is here".
The teenager and his family were in the auditorium.
Ahead of his speech, Obama and his wife met Nobel Peace prize winner Kailash Satyarthi at the auditorium as well as some of the NGOs.
To the end of the speech, where he was cheered loudly by the audience, Obama and Michelle held hands and mixed with the enthusiastic crowd.
Russia-Ukraine War Updates: America is shying away from the war against Russia, Joe Biden said – we do not want war in NATO and Russia
97 days have passed since the Russo-Ukraine war. Even after passing so much time, NATO forces have not jumped directly into the fight. US President Joe Biden once again made it clear from an article
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said - I will apologize to the President, not from these hypocrites, because of knowing less Hindi, mistake
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was again embroiled in controversies after saying the word 'national wife', said that he would apologize to the President only. Will not apologize to these
Ansari, Modi pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 67th death anniversary.The two paid floral tributes at Gandhi's
Aamir Khan Kareena Kapoor after her post: ‘Pillow pe mat jana’.
यदि आप कभी भी किसी अभिनेता के साथ आमिर खान की तस्वीर पर नज़र डालते हैं, तो
Rahul Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi claims that two Congress workers died in UP-Assam due to heavy deployment of police force
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that two Congress workers were killed due to excessive deployment of police force in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Both the states are
China plans to triple its nuclear arsenal to 900 by 2035: report
China is considering tripling its nuclear warhead stockpile to 900 by 2035, as tensions with the United States are expected to escalate further over Taiwan. Kyodo News gave this information on
Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot angry again, but when BJP surrounded Congress, it taught a lesson
There has been a flurry of rebellion in the politics of Rajasthan for a long time. Meanwhile, Sachin Pilot once again expressed his displeasure. BJP tried to capitalize on this issue and tried to
The LAC was last shot in 1975, but the biggest confrontation on Monday after 1967
The violent clash between the Indian and Chinese armies in the Galvan Valley of Ladakh has made the relationship between the two countries extremely tense. In this incident, 20 soldiers of the Indian
Sana Marine's drug report negative: 4 days ago, Finland's PM's dance video went viral, demanding the resignation
The drug report of Finland's Prime Minister Sana Marin has come negative. On August 19, a video of the Marines went viral on social media. In this, she was seen dancing strangely at a party. The
Eknath Shinde 'out of reach' amid suspense over CM! What did he do in a village without a network?
After the huge success of the Maharashtra assembly elections, it was expected that the Mahayuti would form the government without any trouble. However, due to the political drama that has started in
