Obama, Modi declare era of 'new trust' in US-India relations

NEW DELHI — President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on yesterday declared an era of "new trust" in the often fraught relationship between their nations as the US leader opened a three-day visit to New Delhi.

Standing side by side at the stately Hyderabad House, Obama and Modi cited progress toward putting in place a landmark civil nuclear agreement, as well as advances on climate change and defense ties.

But from the start, the day was more about putting their personal bond on display. Modi broke with protocol and wrapped Obama in an enthusiastic hug after Obama got off Air Force One.

Obama later told reporters that Modi's "strong personal commitment to the US-India relationship gives us an opportunity to further energize these efforts."

Modi was as effusive. He called Obama by his first name and said "the chemistry that has brought Barack and me closer has also brought Washington and Delhi closer."

Obama was to be the chief guest Monday at the annual Republic Day festivities, which mark the anniversary of India's democratic constitution coming into force. Obama is the first US leader to attend the celebrations that are part Soviet-style display of India's military hardware, part Macy's Thanksgiving Day-type parade with floats highlighting India's cultural diversity.

Obama's presence would have been unlikely only a few years ago.

Relations between the US and India hit a low in 2013 after an Indian diplomat was arrested and strip-searched in New York over allegations that she lied on visa forms to bring her maid to the US while paying the woman a pittance. The official's treatment caused outrage in New Delhi, and India retaliated against US diplomats.

The US and India also were at an impasse over implementing the civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008. The US insisted on tracking fissile material it supplied to India. Also, Washington was frustrated by Indian legal liability provisions that have discouraged US companies from capitalizing on new energy development in India. There were about companies' legal responsibilities in the event of a nuclear power plant accident.

On yesterday, Obama said he and Modi had reached a "breakthrough understanding" on those areas of disagreements. Details on an accord were sparse.

Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser, said only that India "moved sufficiently on these issues to give us assurances that the issues are resolved." US Ambassador Richard Verma said the agreement would not require new legislation.

The US and India also agreed to extend a 10-year defense partnership deal and cooperate on the phasedown of hydroflurocarbons, the greenhouse gases used for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Still, that was hardly the kind of sweeping climate change agreement the US ultimately has in mind with India. The White House is hoping that the surprise deal with China late last year setting ambitious targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions will influence India and others.

Modi, however, rejected comparisons with China. "India is an independent country, and there is no pressure on us from any country or any person," he said.

Obama arrived yesterday morning to a capital whose normally bustling streets were empty. Police cleared sidewalks as Obama's motorcade sped to the presidential palace for a welcome ceremony. Obama then visited a memorial to the father of India's independence movement, Mohandas K. Gandhi.

Obama and Modi spent much of the afternoon in private talks. They broke briefly for a stroll through the gardens of Hyderabad House, the guest house where the leaders held their discussions. Sitting down before cups of tea, both men looked relaxed. They smiled and laughed often as they chatted animatedly.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama were hosted at a state dinner featuring a dance performance by a cultural group that also performed during Obama's 2010 visit to India.

Taking some of the luster off the trip, Obama does plan to cut his trip slightly short. Following a speech Tuesday morning, he will travel to Saudi Arabia to pay respect to the royal family following the death of King Abdullah.

In order to make the trip to Riyadh, Obama scrapped plans to visit India's famed white marble Taj Mahal.