New Delhi: Terming India-US relations as one of the "defining" partnerships of the 21st century, US President Barack Obama on Friday said forging closer ties between the two countries has been a key part of his foreign policy.
"Forging deeper ties between our two nations has been a key part of my foreign policy since I took over office," Obama said in an interview to India Today magazine.
Replying to a question on whether he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were trying to make up for lost time, Obama said, "I recognised India with our first state visit and I came to India early in my presidency, because I firmly believe that the relationship between the United States and India can be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."
The US President, who arrives in India on a three-day state visit on Sunday, said, "We are natural partners, two great democracies, our strength is rooted in the power and potential of our citizens. As entrepreneurial societies, we're global leaders in innovation, science and technology."
"Given India's strategic location, we can advance our shared security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. When India and the US work together, both our countries, and the world, are more secure and prosperous," he added.
Obama said that when he addressed Indian Parliament on his last visit in 2010, he had outlined his vision for "how we could become global partners meeting global challenges".
Commenting on "safe havens" of terrorism inside Pakistan, Obama said they are not acceptable and those behind Mumbai terror attacks must be brought to justice.
"I have made it clear that even as the US works with Pakistan to meet the threat of terrorism, safe havens within Pakistan are not acceptable and that those behind the Mumbai terrorist attack must face justice," Obama said in an interview to India Today magazine which has been published in the upcoming issue of the weekly.
Obama also said, "As president, I have made sure that the US has been unrelenting in its fight against terrorist groups - a fight in which Indians and Americans are united."
He said those killed in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US included Indians and there were Americans among those who were killed in the Nov 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
"On my previous visit to India, my first stop was the memorial at the Taj Hotel to pay my respects to the victims, meet with survivors and send a strong message to the Indian people that we stand together in defence of our security and our way of life," he added.
The US president said that like other people across the world, Indians and Americans were horrified at the senseless slaughter of so many students and teachers at a school in Peshawar in Pakistan Dec 16 last year, which was "a painful reminder that terrorists threaten us all".
"We have deepened our cooperation against terrorism, and we work together to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons," he said.
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