India has no better friend, partner than the US: Obama

India has no better friend, partner than the US: Obama
26 Jan 2009, 0749 hrs IST, PTI

WASHINGTON: Greeting India on the occasion of the country's 60th Republic Day, US President Barack Obama said Indians have no better friend and partner than the people of the United States.

"As the Indian people celebrate Republic Day all across India, they should know that they have no better friend and partner than the people of the United States," Obama said.

Obama, who calls India as a natural ally of the US and seeks inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, in a message said: "It is our shared values that form the bedrock of a robust relationship across peoples and governments.

"Those values and ideals provide the strength that enables us to meet any challenge, particularly from those who use violence to try to undermine our free and open societies."

As Indians and people of Indian origin in the US and around the world celebrate Republic Day on January 26, Obama said: "I send the warmest greetings of the American people to the people of India. Together, we celebrate our shared belief in democracy, liberty, pluralism, and religious tolerance."

Referring to the new bonhomie of relationships between India and the US in the last one decade, the US President said the two nations have built broad and vibrant partnerships in every field of human endeavor.

"Our rapidly growing and deepening friendship with India offers benefits to all the world's citizens as our scientists solve environmental challenges together, our doctors discover new medicines, our engineers advance our societies, our entrepreneurs generate prosperity, our educators lay the foundation for our future generations, and our governments work together to advance peace, prosperity, and stability around the globe," he said.