Welcome India as it prepares to take its UNSC seat: Obama

New Delhi: It was a historic moment, and Barack Obama did not let those watching down.

In his address to both Houses of the Indian Parliament, the visiting US President made an unambiguous reference to terror and Pakistan and unequivocally endorsed India's position for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC), though it was a cautious backing, more in principle, with no concrete timelines or processes mentioned. (Read: Obama backs India for UN seat, but mentions no time table)

Obama served a speech with both intellectual and emotional appeal. And also substance. On the UNSC seat Obama said, to much applause from Indian lawmakers assembled in the Central Hall of Parliament, that Washington looked forward to a reformed Security Council that reflected current global realities. "Indeed, the just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate...I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."

"So we look forward to working with India - and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership - to ensure that the Security Council is effective; that resolutions are implemented and sanctions enforced; and that we strengthen the international norms which recognise the rights and responsibilities of all nations and individuals," Obama said. (Read: Full text of Obama's address to Parliament)

There was applause also when he did not shy away from speaking about terror and, in particular, Pakistan stating that, "we will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice."

He talked of continued cooperation between India and the United States on tackling the global menace of terrorism, and shared interest in the Afghan-Pak region. "The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan - or the region - to the violent extremists who threaten us all," Obama sad. The US President has said earlier that the US would pull out of Afghanistan in 2011.

The strategy on global terror and to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border. That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region," he added.

Obama said, "We must also recognize that all of us have an interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic - and none more so than India. In pursuit of regional security, we will continue to welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, even as we recognize that disputes between your two countries can only be resolved by the people of your two countries."

Much of this visit has been focused on economic cooperation between the two nations and a shared interest in global prosperity, and Obama spoke at length about forging "a defining partnership with India in the 21st century". (Watch: Obama on Indo-US relations)

"As you carry on with the hard work ahead, I want every Indian citizen to know: the United States of America will not simply be cheering you on from the sidelines. We will be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder.  Because we believe in the promise of India," the US President said, speaking almost as it were to the people of India.

"It is no coincidence that India is my first stop on my visit to Asia, for in Asia and around the world, India is simply not emerging, India has emerged," said Obama, quoting from Tagore's Geetanjali, and making a reference to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. President Obama spoke of how he has been influenced by Gandhiji's principle of 'be the change you seek in the world.' (Watch: The Obamas at Rajghat)

"I am mindful that I may not have been standing before you as the President of United States had it not been for Gandhi and the message that he shared with the world," said Obama, who is the first African-American President of the United States.

Barack Obama ended his speech on a crescendo," Jai Hind!, and long live the partnership between India and the United States," and got a standing ovation. (Read: Dhanyawad says Obama, and Jai Hind!)

The US President became the first foreign dignitary to sign the "Golden Book" in Parliament. This is a visitor's book introduced by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.  He was welcomed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Meira Kumar.

"We admire the tenacity of the American spirit and its capacity for introspection and course correction," said Ansari, welcoming President Obama. (Watch)

The Lok Sabha Speaker spoke of the "compulsion of our times to work together to eliminate the scourge terrorism" as she thanked the US President and all those present.

India-US joint statement

In a joint statement issued at the end of official engagements of three days of President Barack Obama's maiden visit to India, the two countries emphasised the importance of close cooperation in combating terrorist financing and in protecting the international financial system. (Read: Full text)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Obama reiterated that success in Afghanistan and regional and global security require elimination of safe havens and infrastructure for terrorism and violent extremism in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Condemning terrorism in all its forms, the two sides agreed that all terrorist networks, including Lashkar e-Toiba, must be defeated and called for Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Building upon the Counter Terrorism Initiative signed in July 2010, the two leaders announced a new Homeland Security Dialogue between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security and agreed to further deepen operational cooperation, counter-terrorism technology transfers and capacity building," the statement said.

India and the US agreed to work together to arrest post-harvest crop losses and develop technologies that would lead to food security as part of an "Evergreen Revolution".  There was also an agreement on reconvening the Civil Space Joint Working Group early next year.  "The possibility of cooperation between the two nations in space, to advance scientific knowledge and human welfare, are without boundaries and limits," the joint statement said.

The statement also called for an early conclusion of Doha Round of WTO talks for a global trade deal as it would be in the interest of the world economy.