By Arun Kumar and Manish Chand
Washington, Nov 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama rolled out the red carpet Tuesday for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the first state visit of his presidency, saying “India is indispensable” to the US and both countries stood at a “pivotal moment in history” to turn the relationship into a defining partnership of the 21st century.

Chilly, damp weather forced the White House to move the ceremony indoors but the welcome was no less warm as Manmohan Singh and Obama stood before photographers and television cameras in the East Room of the White House as a Marine band played the national anthems of both countries.

“Mr. Prime Minister, yours is the first official state visit of my presidency, and it is fitting that you and India be so recognized,” said Obama in a black suit with a red tie with Manmohan Singh in a dark brown ‘band gala’ suit and his trademark light blue turban standing by his side.

“This visit reflects the high esteem in which I and the American people hold your wise leadership,” he said. “It reflects the abiding bonds of respect and friendship between our people, including our friends in the Indian American community who join us here today.

“But above all, your visit, at this pivotal moment in history, speaks to the opportunity before us-to build the relationship between our nations, born in the last century, into one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”

Manmohan Singh agreed saying, “This is a moment of great opportunity in our relationship. India and the United States can, and must, work together to harness the immense potential of our talented and enterprising people, and support each other’s growth and prosperity.”

“We should cooperate in addressing global challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons,” he said amid applause.

Noting that India-US relations had been transformed in recent years, Manmohan Singh said: “Mr. President, I’ve come today to build upon these successes and to strengthen our multifaceted relationship.”

“We seek to broaden and deepen our strategic partnership, and to work with the United States to meet these challenges of a fast-changing world in this 21st century,” he said appreciating Obama’s “strong personal commitment to our bilateral relationship.”

Obama called the story of India and the US “the story of two economic marvels fuelled by an ethic of hard work and innovation. And today, our nations are two global leaders, driven not to dominate other nations but to build a future of security and prosperity for all nations.”

“Mr. Prime Minister, as we work to build that future, India is indispensable,” he said.