Personal chemistry of Obama and Modi to drive Indo-US ties: Mark Warner

WASHINGTON: The strong personal chemistry between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would drive the Indo-US strategic relationship, a top American Senator has said.

"I witnessed first-hand the strong personal chemistry between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi, and that will be very important as our countries work together to strengthen this vital strategic partnership," Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus who is the only country-specific caucus in the US Senate said.

He was part of the four lawmakers who came with Obama during his three-day visit.who was on the just concluded presidential trip to New Delhi said Friday.

Warner said it was "thrilling" to experience the real sense of optimism and enthusiasm for reinvigorating the US relationship with India.

"Many of the announcements made during our three-day trip were incremental, but they nonetheless represent genuine signs of progress," he said in the monthly newsletter of the Senate India Caucus.

Noting that it was his my honor to accompany Obama this week to celebrate India's Republic Day, the commemoration of the adoption of India's democratic constitution in 1950, Warner said he was proud to attend as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus.

"As two of the world's largest democracies and with the incredible Indian American population that contributes so much to Virginia's culture and commerce, it is critical for us to continue to deepen and broaden the existing framework of partnership and friendship between the United States and India," Warner said.

"During a series of productive conversations, Obama and Modi announced a nuclear deal that could clear the way for multinational corporations to build civilian nuclear power plants in India to provide clean power for the people of India," he said.

For the first time, the US clearly expressed support for bringing India into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the chief trade group in the region, he said.

"In my own conversations with Prime Minister Modi and officials from India's government and industry, I focused on the need for India to make progress on efforts to ease red tape, regulations and legal hurdles that have prevented the US and India from fully tapping the exciting potential of this economic relationship," Warner said.