Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described both India and the U.S. are natural global partners and added that U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the country for the second time during his presidency reflected transformation in the bilateral relationship.
"It is a great pleasure and privilege to welcome President Obama and the First Lady back to India. This is the first time that a U.S. President has visited India twice during his presidency, which reflects transformation in our relationship and shows your (President Obama's) deep personal commitment to the relationship. This (Indo-US) is a natural global partnership," said Prime Minister Modi.
"The success of this relationship is important for our progress and for peace and stability around the world. The promise and potential of this relationship has never been in doubt. This is a natural global partnership," he added.
He further revealed through his opening statement that he had asked President Obama to take the lead in international efforts in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable to the world.
"I see renewed energy in our engagement, thank you for setting the tone last September. In the past four months, we have got a sense of purpose to move it forward. I have asked President Obama to take the lead in international efforts in making clean and renewable energy more accessible and affordable to the world," said the Prime Minister.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi said the sealing of the civil nuclear deal between India and the U.S. was the centerpiece of a transformed relationship between the countries.
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"The civil nuclear agreement was the centerpiece of our transformed relationship. We decided to take up growing defense cooperation to a new level. We will explore cooperation in advance defense technologies," he said.
The Prime Minister also said that both countries have decided to device a comprehensive global strategy to combat the issue of terrorism.
"Terrorism remains a principal global threat; we agreed that we need a comprehensive global strategy to combat it," he added.
"We will also resume dialogue on bilateral investment treaty we will resume our dialogue on bilateral investment treaties. We will also help Afghanistan through its transition," he added.
Lastly, the Prime Minister said that India-US relationship stood at a new level today.
Earlier in the day, India and U.S. sealed the civil nuclear deal, which had been stalled since 2008, after Prime Modi and Obama held delegation-level talks over the issue.
According to reports, U.S. has withdrawn the tracking clause from the deal.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama landed in New Delhi earlier today for their three-day visit of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at the Air Force Station at Palam to greet the visiting dignitaries. The three shared pleasantries before President Obama left for his hotel.
Later, President Pranab Mukherjee formally welcomed his US counterpart to India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Obama was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, with a grand welcome ceremony followed by the Guard of Honour, where the battalion was led by Wing Commander Pooja Thakur of the Indian Air Force. The US President also received a 21-gun salute.
President Obama also visited Raj Ghat, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi via a wreath and planting a sapling at his final resting place.
On his trip to India, President Obama has been accompanied by a sizable delegation of top leaders, including Minority Leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, among others.
President Obama, who is the chief guest of this year's Republic Day parade, will be the first U.S. president to attend the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow.
Obama, who visited India in 2010, is also the first U.S. president to visit the country twice while in office.
