India/US - prime minister's visit

India's PM in Washington to discuss US-Indian partnership

Article published on the 2009-11-24 Latest update 2009-11-24 14:01 TU

Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh speaks to the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, 23 November 2009.
Photo: Reuters/Jim Young

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in Washington on Tuesday for talks with US President Barack Obama. The visit is expected to result in renewed co-operation on the economy, terrorism and climate change.

Prime Minister Singh is the first world leader to be invited on a state visit to the White House since Obama began his presidency.

The high-profile visit is seen as an effort to reassure the US' Indian allies of the continued importance of their relationship under the Obama administration. Until now, the president has focused his diplomatic attentions on India's neighbours, China and Pakistan.

The welcome extended to Prime Minister Singh shows that President Obama views Washington-Delhi relations as "very important," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

Singh is keen to stress how valuable an ally India could prove to the US in the crucial Asia-Pacific region.

"The India-US partnership can contribute to an orderly transition to the new order and be an important factor for global peace and stability," the prime minister said in an address to the Council on Foreign Relations the day before his talks with Obama, on Monday.

"India and the United States can work together with other countries in [Asia] to create an open and inclusive regional architecture."

In this spirit, Singh went on to state his support for a continued US military presence in Afghanistan.

"Any premature talks of exit will only embolden the terrorist elements who are out to destabilise not only our part of the world but civilised world everywhere," he said.

He also called for increased international pressure on Pakistan to force its government to "use all its influence to curb the power of the terrorist groups" within the country.

Singh will also appeal for US investment in India during Tuesday's talks with Obama.

Notably, he is expected to raise the issue of a controversial agreement that would allow India to buy materials for its civil nuclear industry from international suppliers, despite New Delhi's refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The deal was signed under the previous US administration. However, President Obama has pledged to ratify the accord - even though some of his colleagues in the Democratic Party object to it.

Singh's visit is also expected to see the signing of a new memorandum on climate change. The premier has said that India will make greater commitments to climate action if developed nations offer financial and technological support.