Indian prime minister arrives for state visit
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Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was formally welcomed to the White House this morning, kicking off a state visit that will be long on ceremony, though key issues such as terrorism and global warming are to be discussed.
In greeting the prime minister, President Obama said it was fitting that India would be the first nation honored with a formal state visit, a gesture designed to heighten the close ties between the country.
Obama also cited the close relationship between the countries going back to the founding of India after World War II. It is Singh’s second state visit; he also visited with President George Bush.
Obama and Singh are scheduled to meet this morning to discuss issues including Afghanistan and Pakistan, the fight against terrorism, global warming, economic development and nuclear proliferation.
Singh will be the guest of honor tonight at a state dinner.
The televised welcoming ceremony had been scheduled for outdoors but was moved inside the White House because of foul weather. Singh and Obama stood before photographers and television cameras in the East Room as a Marine band played the national anthem of each country.
Obama called the ties between the U.S. and India “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
“Your visit at this pivotal moment in history speaks to the opportunity before us to build the relationship between our nations,” Obama said.
Singh said India and the U.S. are bound by democracy, “rule of law and respect for fundamental human freedoms.”
He said he was optimistic about the future of the U.S.-Indian relationship and is looking for a “strategic partnership of global dimensions.”
-- Michael Muskal
