Can't pretend automation doesn't exist, need to invest in people's skills: Barack Obama

Former United States President Barack Obama emphasised on the need for India and the US to work together to solve problems that are posing a challenge to the global order.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Obama lauded the role played by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Paris Climate Change conference.

The former president praised the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in modernising certain elements of bureaucracy.

On the forces of automation that are sweeping the global economic order, Obama said that there is a need to invest in people and their skills. "We can't unwind globalisation and pretend that automation doesn't exist," Obama said.

The former president argued for a new tax code meant for a changing economic order where those who benefit from it pay back for the development of less privileged in order to reduce inequality.

Calling the partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracy a "defining one", Obama focused on the similarities between the two countries and the values they shared.

Obama called for preserving the liberal order that has brought economic prosperity to the world and saved it from another world war.

On religious tolerance, the 44th US President said that India has an enormous Muslim population that is successful, integrated and it is something that needs to be cherished, nurtured and cultivated.

"There's a counter narrative taking place, at all times, but it's particularly pronounced now... in Europe, US and sometimes in India where those old tribal impulses reassert themselves under leaders who try to push back and under leaders who try to exploit them," Obama said.

Giving a glimpse of his humorous side, Obama quipped his dal and keema making skills are excellent but my chicken is okay.