Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) United States President Barack Obama Monday that India and US can partner in fostering democratic governance across the world.

“This leads me to the final area where our countries can partner - strengthening the foundations of democratic governance, not only at home but abroad,” said Obama in a speech to the joint sitting of Indian parliament.

He said that both countries are in a “new collaboration on open government”, will share experience and develop next-generation tools to empower citizens. “And in another example of how American and Indian partnership can address global challenges, we’re going to share these innovations with civil society groups and countries around the world.”

Obama asserted that it would be right for both countries to “show that democracy, more than any other form of government, delivers for the common man - and woman”.

In this context, he pointed out that India had traditionally supported anti-colonial struggles in other countries. “Just as others, including the United States, supported Indian independence, India championed the self-determination of peoples from Africa to Asia as they too broke free from colonialism. And along with the United States, you’ve been a leader in supporting democratic development and civil society groups around the world. This, too, is part of India’s greatness,” said Obama.

Earlier in the speech, Obama showered fulsome praise for India’s democratic traditions. “And this year, as India marks 60 years with a strong and democratic constitution, the lesson is clear: India has succeeded, not in spite of democracy; India has succeeded because of democracy,” he said.