'Obama's visit indicative of robust nature of bilateral ties'

"It is entirely indicative of the robust nature and health of the relationship, and very good personal ties and chemistry between our two leaders," Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, told reporters.

India has invited Obama to be the chief guest at the 2015 Republic Day celebrations, an invitation which has been accepted by the American leader.

This is for the first time that a US President would be attending the Republic Day ceremony. Obama would also be the first American President to visit India twice.

"It is indicative of all of the good work that the US and India are doing together," Keshap said in response to a question.

Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Right, Sarah Swell, said the visit is a "logical combination" of the way in which the relationship between Obama and Modi has developed.

"It's very exciting to see that trajectory, and I think this is the logical next step," she said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

Chuck Hagel resigns as US defence secretary

It was the first major change to Obama's Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who now control both houses of Congress, are looking for a new approach from the White house.

Hagel was appointed less than two years ago as Obama pushed his signature program of winding down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a process now being upended with US re-engagement in Iraq and greater military cooperation with Kabul.

He had privately expressed frustration to colleagues at the administration’s strategy toward Iraq and Syria and at his lack of influence over the decision-making process, a source familiar with the situation said.

Officials said publicly the decision for him to leave was mutual but privately others said he was forced out. "There’s no question he was fired," said one source with knowledge of the matter.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News 

Obama has written to Khamenei for cooperation in fight against IS

Iran, a Shiite Muslim state, and the United States have not had diplomatic ties since the 1979 storming of the American embassy in Tehran and the 444-day hostage crisis.
  
But there has been a growing recognition that Iran still dubbed by Washington a state sponsor of terrorism could play a role in helping to restore stability in countries such as Iraq and Syria.
  
Refusing to deny or confirm the report, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said "I'm not in a position to discuss private correspondence between the president and any world leader."
  
Iran and the United States are currently negotiating a complex deal to rein in Iranian nuclear ambitions in exchange for an easing of crippling international sanctions against the Islamic republic.
  
Earnest repeated that on the sidelines of those talks, being led by a group of powers known as the P5+1, Iran and US had discussed the threat of the militants.
  
But he reiterated US stand that "the United States will not cooperate militarily with Iran in that effort, we won't share intelligence with them."
  
In his letter, Obama reportedly stressed to Khamenei that any cooperation in fighting IS militants would depend on reaching a comprehensive nuclear deal, as a November 24 deadline looms.
  
The Journal said it was believed to be the fourth letter from Obama to Khamenei since the American leader took office in 2009. US officials told the paper that the Iranian leader has never responded personally to the overtures.
  
Many of Washington's regional allies, including Israel as well as Saudi Arabia, have been wary of US administration bid to engage Iran diplomatically, and the Journal's sources said the White House did not tell those countries in advance of Obama's letter.
  
US Secretary of State John Kerry will on Sunday meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as well as EU foreign policy chief Cathy Ashton in Oman, for a fresh round of nuclear talks.
  
They will meet in Muscat, which hosted secret Iran-US talks in 2012, widely credited for bringing Tehran back to the nuclear negotiations.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

US has offered Iran 'framework' for nuclear deal: Obama

"Whether we can actually get a deal done, we're going to find out over the next three to four weeks. We have presented to them a framework that would allow them to meet their peaceful energy needs," Obama told reporters at a White House news conference.

Referring to the frequent statements from the Iranian leadership that they don't want to develop a nuclear a weapon, Obama said, "If that is, in fact, true, then they've got an avenue here to provide that assurance to the world community, and in a progressive, step-by-step, verifiable way, allow them
to get out from under sanctions so that they can re-enter as full-fledged members of the international community."

The West has accused Iran of attempting to develop a nuclear weapon under the guise of a civilian nuclear programme, while Tehran argues that its nuclear development is aimed purely at meeting the country's growing energy needs and achieving other peaceful goals.

Obama said the unprecedented sanctions imposed by US-led international community has crippled Iran's economy.

"We have been able to freeze their programme, in some cases reduce the stockpile of nuclear material that they already had in hand. The discussions, the negotiations have been constructive," he said.

"I've said consistently that I'd rather have no deal than a bad deal -- because what we don't want to do is lift sanctions and provide Iran legitimacy but not have the verifiable mechanisms to make sure that they don't break out and produce a nuclear weapon," Obama said.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News