India is strong player on world stage: US ahead of Obama visit

The United States is keen to work with India on security, political and economic issues and President Barack Obama's visit represents the future of American engagement with a strong player within Asia and the global stage, the White House said on Wednesday.

"We welcome an India that is a strong player on the global stage, that is a strong player within Asia," a White House official.

"We see it (India) as exactly the type of country that represents the future of American engagement whereby we strengthen our economy by exporting more, but also working more closely on security and political issues," the official said indicating that the focus of Obama's trip would be economy in addition to global and regional security challenges.

Obama will arrive in New Delhi on Sunday to be the chief guest at India's 66th Republic Day Parade on January 26.

"I think, people should see the India trip in the context of his focus on the Asia Pacific and the emerging regions more broadly," the official said who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official said the Obama administration sees importance of Asia to American foreign policy both in terms of its commitment to democracy and to opening of the markets.

Meanwhile, according to sources, a lot of discussion between Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be devoted to assessing progress in bilateral ties. They acknowledged that the two leaders are likely to discuss regional and international relations, but noted that economy related issues might dominate the proceedings.

Observing that Modi sees foreign policy as a very powerful tool to accelerate the development process, the official said there would be fair amount of development economy related issues. And the US would be getting business in return -- one of the goals of the American president's trip.

India, according to sources, want investment of American companies, collaboration of US institutes and that opening up American capabilities to India. Such a move would fast track India's development, the official added.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Barack Obama