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Obama in key talks with Indian PM Obama in key talks with Indian PM
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a fitting leader to be the first state visitor of his presidency. President Barack Obama has praised the United States' relationship with India as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century".
President Obama said India was an important global power and its relationship with the US one of the 21st Century's defining partnerships. Addressing Indian PM Manmohan Singh on the first state visit of his presidency, Mr Obama said Mr Singh was a "fitting leader" for the occasion.
The talks are expected to range from Afghanistan and climate change to nuclear energy co-operation and trade. India was "indispensable", said Mr Obama, ahead of talks with Mr Singh.
Discussions are expected to range from Afghanistan and climate change to nuclear energy co-operation and trade.
Mr Singh began his visit to America on Monday.Mr Singh began his visit to America on Monday.
He is being received with pomp and ceremony which far exceeds that enjoyed by any previous foreign visitor to Mr Obama's White House, the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says.He is being received with pomp and ceremony which far exceeds that enjoyed by any previous foreign visitor to Mr Obama's White House, the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says.
Relations 'cooled'Relations 'cooled'
Mr Obama's presidency has been dominated by Afghanistan and Pakistan and his recent trip to Beijing underlined his respect for China's growing power, he says.Mr Obama's presidency has been dominated by Afghanistan and Pakistan and his recent trip to Beijing underlined his respect for China's growing power, he says.
Any premature talks of exit [from Afghanistan] will only embolden the terrorist elements Manmohan Singh Indian Prime Minister India eyes crucial trade tiesAny premature talks of exit [from Afghanistan] will only embolden the terrorist elements Manmohan Singh Indian Prime Minister India eyes crucial trade ties
But he adds that Tuesday's reception at the White House aims to allay Indian fears that America's relations with Delhi have been allowed to slip since George W Bush's presidency.But he adds that Tuesday's reception at the White House aims to allay Indian fears that America's relations with Delhi have been allowed to slip since George W Bush's presidency.
India hopes the talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.India hopes the talks will see the finalisation of the civilian nuclear deal with the US.
Last year they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.Last year they signed a civilian nuclear co-operation accord to end 34 years of US sanctions.
Delhi gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.Delhi gains access to US civilian nuclear technology and fuel in return for inspections of its civilian, but not military, nuclear facilities.
Raising the issue of Afghanistan, Mr Singh warned ahead of the talks that a victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan would be a catastrophe for the region and the world.Raising the issue of Afghanistan, Mr Singh warned ahead of the talks that a victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan would be a catastrophe for the region and the world.
"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," Mr Singh said."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," Mr Singh said.
Crackdown on militantsCrackdown on militants
His comments come as Mr Obama is finalising a decision on whether to send additional US troops to Afghanistan.His comments come as Mr Obama is finalising a decision on whether to send additional US troops to Afghanistan.
Mr Singh also expressed his concern about the spread of Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorism to Pakistan's heartlands.Mr Singh also expressed his concern about the spread of Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorism to Pakistan's heartlands.
He urged the Obama administration to put pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militants in the country.He urged the Obama administration to put pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militants in the country.
In Washington, the two leaders are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on climate change which has been one of the most controversial issues on their agenda, our correspondent says.In Washington, the two leaders are also expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on climate change which has been one of the most controversial issues on their agenda, our correspondent says.