No worries over Obama administration (Hindustan Times, INDIA)

On Board Air India One, November 16, 2008

India has no reason to feel uneasy over the change in the US administration following the takeover of president-elect Barak Obama on Jan 20 next year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said.

"From whatever feedback I have, I think we have no reason to be apprehensive about the change of regime in the United States," the prime minister said on his way back from a financial summit hosted by US President George W. Bush in Washington.

"I think there is general recognition in the US regarding the role that India can play, India should play. There is considerable appreciation of the way Indian economy is managed," he said.

The prime minister said it was with this intention that Obama had recently sent former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Congressman Tom Leach, who chairs a House committee on Asia, to interact with Indian government representatives.

"They have given us all the positive indication, so there is no reason to have any doubts about the intentions of the Obama administration towards India."

The two had met with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen before the prime minister had arrived in Washington.

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