After a power-packed speech at the Siri Fort Auditorium, US President Barack Obama wrapped up his three-day visit to India and left for Saudi Arabia to pay condolences to the royal family following death of King Abdullah. Before leaving, Obama expressed satisfaction of helping end the seven-year logjam to operationalise the landmark civil nuclear deal, besides enhancing Defence and bilateral trade ties while promising US-India can be “best partners.”
Both Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared satisfied with the “breakthrough” in nuclear agreement issue and promised to keep the momentum in defence pacts and for cleaner energy too. “With breakthroughs we achieved on this visit we can finally move toward fully implementing our civil nuclear agreement which will mean more reliable electricity for Indians and cleaner, non-carbon energy that helps fight climate change,” Obama said on Tuesday morning.
And even as Modi said there was no pressure from anyone on India to reach agreements on Climate Change issue, Obama again tried to push the matter by saying: “With rising seas, melting Himalayan glaciers, more unpredictable monsoons, cyclones getting stronger, few countries will be more affected by a warmer planet than India. Now the United States recognises our part in creating this problem, so we’re leading the global effort to combat it. And today I can say that America’s carbon pollution is near its lowest level in almost two decades,” Obama said while urging developing nations like India to do their bit to.
Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, folded his hands for a Namaste and waved before boarding Air Force One at the Palam airport. White House tweeted for Obama saying: “Thank you @NarendraModi for a memorable visit and to the Indian people for their warm welcome.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his visit has taken the Indo-US relations to a new level and opened a new chapter and tweeted: “Farewell @WhiteHouse! Your visit has taken India-USA ties to a new level & opened a new chapter. Wish you a safe journey.”
Modi gifted an All India Radio recording of singer Marion Anderson’s interview of 1957 to Obama. “A gift of history. PM gifts US Prez Marion Anderson’s 1957 rendition of lead Kindly light at Gandhi Memorial,” tweeted MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin. Modi also gifted original commemorative stamp issued on 26th January 1950 on back cover of the US telegram. Referred to the rain in Delhi during the Republic Day parade where Obama held umbrella for some time Modi tweeted: “As for the rainy day yesterday, as you yourself said @WhiteHouse today morning, Bade Bade Deshon Mein...”