Obama nudges India on religious freedom

"There have been times where my faith has at times been questioned by people who don't know me, or they've said that I adhere to a different religion, as if that were somehow a bad thing," Obama said.

Drawing on his own experience as a minority in the United States, Obama said while he has had extraordinary opportunities, "There were moments in my life where I've been treated differently because of the colour of my skin."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was denied a visa to the US in 2005, three years after religious riots killed more than 1,000 Muslims in Gujarat where he was the chief minister. Obama also struck a common chord with Modi several times during his speech, urging young people to



stand up for the rights of women.

"Every woman should be able to go about her day - to walk the street, or ride the bus - and be safe and be treated with the respect and dignity that she deserves," Obama said to applause.

Since taking office in May, Modi has often talked about women's rights, urging Indians to treat sons and daughters equally. He recently launched an "educate the daughter, save the daughter," program to stem sex selective abortions and encourage parents to keep girls in schools. "Nations are more successful when their women are successful," Obama told his audience.

Obama, who began his townhall meeting with a 'Namaste', emphasised once again that his country's relationship with India can be one of the most defining partnership of this century.

 

Obama, who has been using a smattering of Hindi in his speeches throughout his three-day landmark visit to India, even used a dialogue from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge to the delight of his audience.

The US President talked about the similarities that world's largest democracies share and promised to help India in its efforts to bring its people out of poverty and provide them with better healthcare.

"I believe America can be India's 'best partner," said Obama, adding, "The world will be better if we stand together."