No greater friend and partner than US,Obama tells India

In a clear indication of the importance President Obamas administration attaches to its relations with India,President Barack Obama on Monday said that New Delhi would not find a greater friend and partner than the people of the United States.

Conveying the greetings of the American people on Republic Day,Obama said,Together,we celebrate our shared belief in democracy,liberty,pluralism and religious tolerance. 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 the Indian people celebrate Republic Day,they should know that they have no better friend and partner than the people of the United States.

Obama said the two countries had built a broad and vibrant partnership in every field of human endeavour and the relationship would only grow stronger with time.

Our rapidly growing and deepening friendship with India offers benefits to all the worlds 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.