Obama calls India world power

US President Barack Obama is slated to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a whole range of issues that are important to both sides.

On Sunday afternoon, the US president and his wife, Michelle, arrived in New Delhi and were welcomed by Indian President Pratibha Patil on Monday, The Hindustan Times reported.

The visiting US president praised the Asian country by saying “India is not a rising power but a world power.”

Obama has expressed hope the visit would open up business opportunities for both sides and help create jobs for unemployed Americans.

He also announced that counter-terrorism will figure in his talks with top Indian officials this afternoon. He is also expected to back a bigger New Delhi role in global affairs.

Singh is likely to press Obama to support his country’s aspirations to win a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which the US backs in principle, but has so far remained uncommitted on the question of timing.

Obama is also believed to be ready to give the final go-ahead in the implementation of a joint nuclear deal. The US president might push India to buy more US military hardware– arms sales that could be worth 26 billion dollars, reports say.

India’s concerns about Pakistan and China will also dominate the talks. Obama has urged India and Pakistan to talk on less controversial issues before they can begin discussing more divisive topics.

Obama’s India visit is just another step in the United States’ attempt to re-engage Asia Pacific.