USA And The Future Of The World

[Naresh]

[center]<b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>India, US natural partners : Obama</span></b>[/center]

WASHINGTON: Vowing to strengthen ties with the "natural partner" India, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has noted that the hardworking Indian-American professionals are adding to the "richness" of the US society and invited the community to join him in "renewing the strength" of this country.

"The world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy are natural partners, sharing important interests and fundamental democratic values," Obama said in a yet to be published article in a newspaper, excerpts of which were given in a write-up on Friday.

The Illinois Democrat, who is giving his party rival for presidential nomination Hillary Clinton a run for her money and hopes, recognised the major contributions of Indian-American community to the US economy as well as the fabric of the American society.

"Already, in communities across this country, Indian Americans are lifting up our economy and creating jobs," he said and pointed out that "leading entrepreneurs, innovators, lawyers, doctors, engineers, and hardworking professionals are adding to the richness and success of the American society."

Obama also wrote that he sees Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration and has a portrait of the apostle of peace in his office to remind him that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

"In my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things," he wrote.

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