MUMBAI: US President Barack Obama on Saturday announced conclusion of 20 deals worth $10 billion by the US and Indian Bussiness firms. He said that the deal would create over 50 thousand jobs in US and job opportunities in India as well. He also announced that High tech trade would go up after easing of restrictions.
Addressing to the US – India Bussiness summit at the Trident Hotel, which was also a target of the terrorists on 26/11, Obama asked India to remove trade barriers and promised to reciprocate. “I am pleased to announce that US will work with India to fundamentally reform its controls on exports which will allow greater cooperation in a range of High Tech sector and strengthen America’s non proliferation sectors” he said adding even as America take steps to strengthen its national security, it will ensure that unnecessary barriers do not stand in the way of high – tech trade between the two countries.
Obama said several land mark deals have been done including Boeing selling dozens of planes to India and General Electric selling hundreds of Electric engines. The increased commerce between the two countries will be a win win situation.
Referring to the enormous untapped potential in bi-lateral trade, Obama said that India can be America’s top trading partner. He said due to the liberal economic policies pursued by India, tens of millions of people were taken out of poverty and now India enjoys the status of having the largest middle class population in the world. The economic growth in India in the last two decades is one of the stunning achievements in human history.
Allaying the fears of businessmen in both the countries, the US president asserted that bi-lateral partnership has an enormous potential and they are not creating only wealth but huge job opportunities in both countries.
Meanwhile President Barack Obama has begun his 3 day visit to India with call to curb global terrorism. Paying homage to those killed in the attack at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai Obama hailed their resolve and resilience which stood in stark contrast to the savagery of the terrorists who came to kill innocent civilians. Flanked by US First Lady Michelle he said had purposely chosen the hotel for his stay as well as his first official engagement to send a simple and absolute message against terror.
He said that the perpetrators of the attacks wanted to pit the people of different religions against one another but they failed. After his brief address, Obama and his wife mingled with the gathering, shaking hands and interacting with some of the kin of the dead in the attack.
Obama said India and the United States are sharing intelligence and working together more closely than ever before to prevent more attacks. Both countries stand united in their determination to give people of both the countries a future of security and prosperity. The US President said, he is looking forward to further deepen cooperation to counter terrorism, when he meets Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.
Describing Taj as a symbol of strength of Indian people, Obama recalled the images of the 26/ 11 attack and referred to General Manager of the Hotel Karamveer Kang, who continued to work at the hotel during the 60 hours of mayhem despite losing his family. He also talked about the role of an Indian nanny, who saved the life of a toddler, who lost his Jewish parents during the attack at the Chabad House and said that the awful images of the attacks can be never be forgotten.
Earlier, Obama visited Mani Bhawan, Gandhi’s Residence, now and a Museum. In his remarks in the visitors’ book, US president said that Mahatma Gandhi is a hero not just to India but to the whole world. Obama said that he is filled with hope and inspiration as he had the privilege to view this testament to Gandhi’s life.
Michelle wrote that this visit is the one that she will always treasure. She said that the life and teachings of Gandhi must be shared with children around the world. The president also read the remarks written by American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, who visited Mani Bhavan in 1959. TIA / agencies