Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi can advance the interest of Indian people by working "effectively" with the US President Barack Obama, who will continue to look for ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship, the White House has said.
In the last year of his administration, Obama would continue working to strengthen India-US relationship, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.
"I think that should be a good indication to you that, while obviously Prime Minister Modi takes seriously the responsibility that he has to advocate for the citizens of his country, he can advance the interest of the people of India by working effectively with President Obama," Earnest said.
"And that's a good thing. It's a good thing for our two countries. It's a good thing for the citizens of our two countries," Earnest said, adding "I would expect the president will continue to look for ways to strengthen the relationship."
"I think the best thing to point you to is the last opportunity that President Obama had to meet with Prime Minister Modi was in Paris in the context of the climate talks," Earnest said in response to a question.
He said that there was a sense, at the time, that the Indian government might be the chief impediment to the successful completion of an ambitious climate agreement.
"And that ambitious climate agreement was completed less than two weeks after that meeting," he added.
Obama has also invited Modi to participate in the National Security Summit on March 31-April 1, he said. President Obama was the chief guest at Republic Day in 2015 and Prime Minister Modi has also visited the US in September last year.
