Sunday, November 22, 2009

21-gun salute heralds new phase in US relations with India

As the White House prepares for a large-scale event - dinner and entertainment for 400 guests - President Barack Obama prepares to speak with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the future of US-India relations. The Prime Minister was greeted upon arrival in the US with a 21-gun salute. President Obama must be careful when he talks to the Prime Minister about sensistive topics such as India's long-time enemy Pakistan, the much disputed border between India and China, and the Kashmir territory. The President must also take care in his talks with the Prime Minister not to give China the wrong idea, being that the President just returned from critical talks with China a few days ago. Prime Minister Singh is eager to speak to the President and hopes that he will share former president George Bush's committment to a strong US-India relationship, and hopes that the US will support India's desire to attain a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

By: Kimberly Severns

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