'Chalein Saath Saath', U.S. Tells India


WASHINGTON: Once shunned by America, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour at a private dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama ahead of their formal summit to reset stalled India-U.S. relations.

As Modi, fasting for the Hindu festival of Navratri, sat down with Obama in the Blue Room of the president's house, the White House released a vision statement for the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership: "Chalein saath saath: Forward together we go".

"As leaders of two great democratic nations with diverse traditions and faiths, we share a vision for a partnership in which the United States and India work together, not just for the benefit of both our nations, but for the benefit of the world," it said.

The statement seemed to echo just what Modi had suggested earlier in an address at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York.

India and U.S. should think of what they can do together for the whole world even as they agree to disagree on some issues, he said in response to a question about his comfort level with India-U.S. strategic partnership.

The two nations do not have to be comfortable with all aspects of their partnership as even in a husband and a wife relationship there is "never 100 percent comfort" yet the two are bound in a long-term commitment," Modi quipped.

While the dinner was closed press, White House press secretary Josh Earnest stated that at their bilateral meeting, "the two leaders will discuss a range of issues of mutual interest in order to expand and deepen the U.S.-India strategic partnership".

"They will discuss ways to accelerate economic growth, bolster security cooperation, and collaborate in activities that bring long-term benefits to both countries and the world," he said.

READ MORE: World Hunger Falls But 805 Mn Still Chronically Under-Nourished: FAO

Will Deliver On Promises, Build India Of Your Dreams: Modi To Indians Abroad

Source: IANS