President Barack Obama Welcomes PM Narendra Modi at White House on Monday
In a rare joint op-ed piece today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama wrote about taking forward a relationship whose potential, they said, has yet to be fully realized.
"The advent of a new government in India is a natural opportunity to broaden and deepen our relationship. It is time to set a new agenda..." the leaders wrote in the editorial that summed up the partnership with a bilingual mantra: "Forever together we go, chalein saath saath."
The op-ed was put up on The Washington Post website before an Oval Office meeting between the two leaders and hours after Mr Obama hosted Mr Modi for a private dinner at the White House.
The leaders wrote that they planned to discuss shared intelligence on terrorism and regional concerns, including Afghanistan, where the U.S. is winding down its 13-year military involvement. They also talked about joint efforts to fight diseases and improve sanitation and hygiene throughout India.
"Our natural and unique partnership can help shape international security and peace for years to come," wrote Mr Modi and Mr Obama.
"That we both have satellites orbiting Mars tells its own story. The promise of a better tomorrow is not solely for Indians and Americans: It also beckons us to move forward together for a better world," they said.
Mr Modi and Mr Obama, both believers in technology and "digital diplomacy", collaborated on the editorial through digital contact, said Indian officials.
The idea of a joint editorial was born after PM Modi's op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal last week, just before he headed to the US for his first visit since taking power in May.
The editorial was finalized when PM Modi arrived in Washington.
"It is very easy to digitally interact through electronic means," said foreign ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, when asked about the logistics of the two leaders writing an editorial with a joint byline.