US recognises India as a global power: Obama to PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has had his first meeting with the US President Barack Obama at G20 summit in London.

President Obama told Prime Minister Singh that the US "recognises India as a global power".

"We recognise India as a global power, our relationship is very important," he said, adding, "The US sees India as a critical partner in the 21st century."

PTI adds:

Conveying India's keenness to carry forward the Indo-US strategic relationship that has developed over the last five years, Singh told Obama that India and the US shared "same dreams and same vision" and the two countries would like to work together to realise those dreams.

During their talks on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, Obama hailed India's "high stature" because it had "unleashed economic forces" and said a lot of it had to do with the wisdom of Dr Singh.

He said the US sees India as a global partner and together the two countries can play a critical part in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

Singh while conveying the greetings of President Pratibha Patil and people of India told Obama that "you are much loved and respected in India."

Singh referred to strategic relationship that had developed between the two countries during the last five years and India wanted to carry this forward.

"Under your leadership we will face challenges such as climate change," the prime minister told Obama at their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit here.

Singh said together India and the US can strive for a new path in meeting the challenges of economy, climate change and terrorism.

The US president said India is full of diversity and energy and that it was a complex country like the US.

Much of the growth and rise of India are attributed to the wisdom of Manmohan Singh, Obama said.