Obama’s speech hailed by regional party MPs

NEW DELHI - Members of Parliament belonging to regional political parties Monday welcomed US President Barack Obama’s address here to Indian parliamentarians, but said it had to be seen “how the promises translate into action”.

AIADMK member from Rajya Sabha V. Maitreyan said “Obama’s historic speech was great to the ears, but one has to wait to see how it is translated into action”.

Maitreyan told IANS: “It was a power-packed speech. It was a great experience to be in the central hall of the Parliament today. His assurance on US support to India’s efforts for a United Nations Security Council seat and the assertion of not tolerating terror havens are highly reassuring.”

E.T. Muhammed Basheer, leader of the two-member Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in the Lok Sabha, said Obama’s speech will be appreciated by all Indians belonging to all religions and sections.

“Obama spoke from his heart, not merely from a script, usually prepared by someone else. The biggest thing is that Obama, the leader of the richest nation, has discovered greater values of India and its spiritual values.

“His speech has to be welcomed by one and all,” Basheer told IANS.

Mohammed Shafi, leader of the National Conference (NC) in the Rajya Sabha, said that Obama’s speech was “a balanced one”. While Obama said lot of things in favour of India, “he was keen to bag lot of jobs for US companies, for gaining support back at home”, Shafi told IANS.

Jose K. Mani, leader of the Kerala Congress (M) in Lok Sabha, said Obama’s speech was one of a “new leader of the US connecting with the new generation of India”. “It was an impressive speech projecting issues of the new globalised world - information sharing, global partnership and joint action on terrorism” .

Mani said Obama spoke like a global leader who could understand the “importance and intricacies of regional identities”. His emphasis on problems of global warming and climate change are welcome, he said.