US, India deepen cooperation in defence, clean energy

New Delhi: Invoking a reference to `Chalein saath saath` or `Let`s walk together`, US President Barack Obama on Sunday announced enhanced cooperation between the two countries on key areas, including defence cooperation and promoting clean energy.

"In the last few years, trade between the two countries has increased by some 60 percent. Happy that we have agreed to promote clean energy and support climate change. We have agreed to deepen our defence and security cooperation," President Obama said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

The US President said both sides agreed that trade and economic partnership must focus on improving the daily lives of the people.

He added that all members of Congress and business leaders from his country believe that a strong relationship with India is vital for America`s success.

President Obama also appreciated the reforms Prime Minister Modi wants to take to make it easier to do business in India, adding that he supported India`s ambitious role for solar energy, launching new projects to improve air quality in Indian cities.

He also fondly recalled the massive reception Prime Minister Modi received at the Madison Square Garden in September last year.

"Last year, at the Madison Square Garden PM Modi was greeted like a Bollywood star," said the US President, while asserting that he was looking forward to tomorrow`s "spectacular" Republic Day celebrations.

Earlier in the day, India and the US sealed the long stalled Civil Nuclear Deal after Prime Minister Modi and President Obama held delegation level talks over the issue, hours after he landed in the national capital with First Lady Michelle Obama for their three-day visit to India.

President Obama, who is the chief guest for this year`s Republic Day parade, will be the first US president to attend the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow.

Obama, who visited India in 2010, is also the first US President to visit the country twice while in office.