Obama's visit to strengthen whole spectrum of bilateral ties : MEA

"This is a qualitative invigorationof our ties since our Prime Minister's visit to the US in September 2014," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said while briefing  reporters ahead of Obama's visit beginning from January 24.

 

  "We see the visit of President Obama to India as a (way of) strengthening of ties between India and the US on the whole spectrum of our relationship, he said.

 

    "From our perspective, the US is a key partner in science and technology and our path of growth...  it is a key partner in defence and counter-terrorism.The US is India's key interlocutor of global security structure...It is a partner in our efforts to seek peace and stability in our extended neighbourhood."

 

    Akbaruddin said since September, there have been 10 MoUs signed between India and the US in areas such as space, skill development and science technology among others.

 

Obama will be accompanied by his wife Michelle and a delegation.

 

Akbaruddin said bilateral discussions to be held on January 25 would be followed by a  banquet hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the evening of January 25, President Pranab Mukherjee will host a banquet.

 

On January 26,  Obama will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

 

On January 27, Obama is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra to be accompanied by wife Michelle.

 

 

 Obama and  Modi will be together at the  ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks, banquet, the Republic Day parade, the event hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the business event and during the joint radio address.

 

"We have had nine dialogue meetings in the past four months," Akbaruddin said.

 

India and US have agreed earlier that the US will support India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

 

On nuclear liability discussions Akbaruddin said "The negotiations are presently happening in London. This is the third time that the contact group is meeting in last four months. The earlier meeting had taken place in Vienna."

 

" Following the India-US nuclear deal, we need these arrangements or rules to do business," he added.