Obama for 'true global, strategic partnership' with India

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jan 30 (PTI) US President Barack Obama has
vowed to build a "true global, strategic partnership" with
India and stressed on advancing bilateral economic ties and
making progress on nuclear security efforts, as he dropped in
during key talks between Indian National Security Adviser
Shivshankar Menon and his American counterpart Tom Donilon.
"The President joined the meeting (between Menon and
Donilon) and reaffirmed his commitment to building a true
global, strategic partnership with India," the White House
said in a statement after the talks Saturday.
Obama is believed to have been present at the
Menon-Donilon meeting at the White House for about 15 minutes
during which he clearly reflected that he remained focused on
strengthening the relationship between India and the US.
"The President relayed his priorities for the coming
year, including advancing our bilateral economic relationship
and making progress on nuclear security efforts," the White
House said.
On a day when Obama was busy with the unfolding
developments in Egypt, his joining of the Menon-Donilon
meeting at the White House reflects the importance he attached
to the India-US relationship.
In another special gesture, Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton on Friday hosted a lunch for Menon, who is here at the
invitation of Donilon to follow-up on the outcomes of Obama
and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Summit in India in
November last year.
Clinton, who re-scheduled her meetings for the luncheon,
had initially scheduled a dinner for Menon on Thursday, which
was cancelled because of the late arrival of the NSA due to
the major snow storm in the region.
"Mr Donilon and Mr Menon discussed ways to advance our
bilateral agenda over the coming year, including the
implementation of initiatives launched during the Summit, as
well as building new platforms for collaboration that fulfill
the promise of our global strategic partnership," the White
House said.
It said the two also had "candid, in-depth discussions on
regional and global issues of mutual concern".
Apart from reviewing the implementation of initiatives
launched during the India visit of Obama in November, Menon is
here to discuss developments in bilateral relationship in
preparation for the Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi in April.
Clinton will lead a high-level US delegation at the dialogue.