Obama gives India the 'nuclear power' tag

The US has recognised India as a "nuclear power" for the first time with President Barack Obama saying that India can be a full partner of the US in preventing the spread of atomic weapons and pursuing the goal of world without nuclear arms.

"As nuclear powers, we can be full partners in preventing the spread of the world's most deadly weapons, securing loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and pursuing our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said in his opening remarks while welcomed prime minister Manmohan Singh at the White House.

"We should cooperate in addressing global challenges of combating terrorism, making our environment cleaner, and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons," Manmohan said during his first state visit to the US after Barack Obama was sworn in as president.

While the two leaders also agreed to broaden cooperation on agriculture, technology, trade and counter-terrorism, there was, however, no visible sign of progress on the long-delayed US-India civil nuclear agreement.

Accordingly, the two sides will undertake a series of important steps, including a clean energy initiative that will create jobs and improve people's access to cleaner, more affordable energy and a green partnership to reduce poverty through sustainable and equitable development, according to Obama.

"I reaffirmed to the prime minister my administration's commitment to fully implement the US-India civil nuclear agreement which increases American exports and creates jobs in both countries," Obama said after talks with Manmohan Singh.