President Barack Obama showered praise on India and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an elaborate welcoming ceremony Tuesday, declaring it was only fitting the Indian leader should be the first state visitor of his administration.
Obama said the United States and India share the "bold experiments" of becoming democracies after breaking from rule by a colonial power, and in modern times both have known the pain of international terrorism.
"Our nations are two global leaders, driven not to dominate other nations but to build a future of security and prosperity for all nations," Obama said
Chilly, damp weather led the White House to move the ceremony indoors, where Singh and Obama stood before photographers and television cameras in the East Room as a Marine band played the national anthems of their countries.
Singh said that India and the US are separated by distance but bound by common national values of "democracy, pluralism, rule of law and respect for fundamental human freedoms."
Singh has said he is optimistic about the future of the US-Indian relationship and is looking for a "strategic partnership of global dimensions." White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called Singh's visit a show of respect acknowledging India's growing
economic and political power.
Behind the pomp of the state visit, Singh and Obama will be working to smooth over differences on climate change and US ties with Indian rivals China and Pakistan.
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