We still lead, despite growth of India, China: Obama

From Prasun Sonwalkar
London, May 25 (PTI) Despite the emergence of new
powers like China and India, the US and its European allies
were still "indispensable" and remained the 'greatest
catalysts' in global affairs, US President Barack Obama said
today.
Rejecting the argument that rise of new global powers
meant the end of the leadership of countries like the US and
the UK, Obama said the time for their leadership had not
passed.
It was the first time ever that an American president
was accorded the honour of addressing both houses of
parliament in the 900-year-old Westminster Hall.
Obama's address was attended by current and former
British prime ministers, lords and MPs amidst traditional
royal reception.
Despite the rise of new global powers such as India,
China and Brazil, Obama said that the time for US and European
leadership "is now".
The US and its allies in Europe would remain
"indispensable" this century, he added, and recalled the many
historical achievements in the area of politics, education,
engineering and medicine.
In his speech, Obama rejected arguments that the rise
of superpowers like China and India meant the end for American
and European influence in the world.
He said: "Perhaps, the argument goes, these nations
represent the future, and the time for our leadership has
passed. That argument is wrong. The time for our leadership is
now".