Washington views India as a 'critical partner' in helping to deal with the challenges of the 21st century, President Barack Obama said on Thursday. Obama said this after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in London. Obama, describing the Prime Minister as a 'wise and decent man' also said he admired Singh for his economic policies that unleashed India's economic power.

Manmohan Singh returned the US president's compliments by saying India greatly admires Obama. "Under your leadership we will face challenges such as climate change," the PM told Obama.

Apart from the global financial meltdown, the two leaders discussed an entire array of bilateral and global issues, including terrorism, climate change and the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Do you agree with Obama that India is a crucial U.S. Partner?

Do you think Obama's appreciation for Dr. Singh may worry the Left parties and the BJP?

Taking a strong line against the incidents of violence and rowdyism in Pilibhit on last Saturday, the Uttar Pradesh Government imposed the National Security Act (NSA) on the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Varun Gandhi . The decision to charge Varun under the NSA has been made on the eve of his case coming up for hearing in the Chief


Judicial Magistrate's court in Pilibhit. The UP Police said Mr. Gandhi has been charged with inciting communal tension through his speeches at election rallies held in Pilibhit district on March 7 and March 9. Another charge levelled against him was that he incited his supporters to resort to violence. BJP described the Maywati government's action as "the worst kind of vendetta politics as this is not emergency days. The maximum period of detention under the NSA is one year with no provision for bail.

Do you think UP govt has overreacted by slapping serious law like NSA on Varun?

Do you rate Varun as a terrorist?