Washington: Vowing to strengthen ties with "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 the ethnic India Abroad 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 Rodham Clinton a run for her money and hopes to clinch the Ohio and Texas primaries of March 4 to further consolidate his position, recognised the major contributions of the 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."
The 46-year-old Democrat also took a direct hit at the hate crimes that attracted a lot of attention in the US in the aftermath of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
"Too often flawed strategies like racial profiling have had a disproportionate effect on Indian-Americans. Too often, restrictions at our borders have prevented entry for many students and family members who seek nothing more than opportunity and reunification with loved ones," he said.
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"Instead of policies that make Indian-Americans feel targeted or excluded from the American story, I will be a president who draws upon the energy and expertise of the Indian-American community," Obama said. "Together, we can restore and revitalise America's innovation-based economy so that we can create jobs and meet our most pressing domestic challenges".
"That is why I voted for the US-India nuclear energy deal on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. And that is why I will move forward to build a close strategic partnership between the United States and India when I am President of the United States," he said, arguing that it is imperative that Washington and New Delhi work together to combat the common threats of the 21st century. "Both countries have been victims of catastrophic terrorist attacks, and we have a shared interest in succeeding in the fight against al-Qaeda and its operational and ideological affiliates.”
Obama has maintained that he had opposed from the very beginning of putting all the eggs in the basket of President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan and had proposed "that we need to condition our assistance to the Pakistani government so that we encourage stronger action against al-Qaeda and a restoration of democracy.”
"Our goal remains not simply an all-in Pakistan, our goal is a democratic ally, with a vibrant civil society and strong institutions," he said.
Senator Obama, according to the write-up, ended his article by inviting the Indian-American community, and all Americans, to join him in “renewing the strength of America”, and said the next chapter in the American story can be written with a simple phrase, "that reflects the hope and optimism that so many Indian Americans show in their daily lives - Yes we can.”
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