White House: India high on Obama's list of US economic collaboration

India is “very high” on President Barack Obama’s list in terms of increased collaboration, marked by increased investments by American companies, the White House has said.“In terms of the US-India partnership….the President is very enthusiastic about the prospect of increased collaboration, increased economic growth for American companies, and investments in India,” Principal Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz told reporters.

“I think you heard that from his recent trip there a few months ago. But just because he is not over there right now, that doesn’t mean we don’t have key members of our team working on this,” Schultz said in reply to a reporter’s question. Economic growth across the world, remains a priority for President Obama, he said, adding: “Oftentimes that manifests itself in investments in foreign countries. And India is very high on that list.”

On Obama’s comprehensive immigration reform plan, which has remained stalled in the US Congress for more than two years now and which is set to become a major issue in the upcoming presidential race, the White House spokesman advised Republican candidates to urge the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to take up the Bill. 

“We’re not even urging the House leadership to vote for it; we just want there to be a vote because we’re confident it would pass,” Schultz said, adding the best way to bring millions of undocumented workers out of the shadows and restore accountability is for the House to pass the bipartisan Senate Bill.