BE TOLERANT, SAYS OBAMA
Every person has right to practice his faith without fear
In what is being seen in some quarters as a parting shot at the Narendra Modi government, in the wake of domestic controversies over religious freedom and reconversion in India in the past few months, US President Barack Obama on Tuesday talked tough on religious tolerance, saying India will succeed as long as it is not “splintered” over religious lines.
He spoke about the values of democracy that is common to both countries, and also the values of religious freedom and equality. Mr Obama added that “diversity” was, in fact, the strength of both nations. The Centre was facing a lot of heat in Parliament on these controversies.
Speaking on “India and America: The Future We Can Build Together” at Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium, the US President said: “Every person has the right to practice his faith without any persecution, fear or discrimination. India will succeed so long it is not splintered on religious lines,” he told the audience.
The US President’s remarks — interpreted by many as a snub to China — came after the Chinese state-run media warned that India must not fall into the trap of the US that wants to contain China, even as a guarded and wary China had reacted to the announcements made during President Obama’s visit, saying the situation in the South China Sea was stable and that there was no problem with freedom of navigation in the area.
“The United States welcomes a greater role for India in the Asia-Pacific where the freedom of navigation must be upheld and dispute must be resolved peacefully,” President Obama said in his address “India and America: The Future We Can Build Together” at Siri Fort Auditorium here on Tuesday morning.
On Indo-US relations, President Obama said, “India and the US are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India’s best partner”. He added, “Of course, only Indians can decide India’s role in the world,” he said, adding, “But I’m here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together.”
President Obama also said if the two countries wanted to be “true global partners” they must do more together globally. “So to ensure international security and peace, multilateral institutions created in the 20th century must be updated for the 21st. Therefore, I support a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member,” he said.
Underlining that both nations have known the anguish of terrorism, President Obama said, “We stand united in the defence of our people. Now we are deepening our defence cooperation against new challenges.”
“We can be even closer partners in ensuring our mutual security. Both our nations have known the anguish of terrorism. We stand united in the defence of our people. Now we are deepening our defence cooperation against the new challenges,” he said.
The US President said the goal for all of us should be a nuclear weapons-free world. “Even as we acknowledge the world as it is, we must never stop working for the world as it should be. A world without nuclear weapons. That should be a goal for all of us,” he said.
The US President also said that with power comes responsibility and in this region India can play a positive role and help other countries forge a better future. “From Burma to Sri Lanka where today there is new hope for democracy. With your experience in elections you can help other countries with theirs,” he said.
So even as we live in a world of terrible inequality, we are also proud to live in countries where a grandson of a cook can become a President and even a tea seller can become a Prime Minister
I bring the friendship and greetings of the American people. On behalf of myself and Michelle, thank you so much for welcoming us back to India, bahut dhanyawad
We know from experience that nations are successful when their women are successful. When girls go to school... this is one of the most direct measures of whether a nation is going to develop perfectly... and how it treats its women
Indians and Americans are some of the hardest working people on earth. People like Shah Rukh Khan, Milkha Singh and Mary Kom inspire people.
— Barack Obama US President