Published on 12:00 PM, December 03, 2015

Modi has clear vision for India, Obama feels: White House

PM Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama meet on the sidelines of the climate change summit in Paris. Photo: Reuters

US President Barack Obama has found a politician who is honest and has a clear vision for India in PM Narendra Modi, with whom he has held meetings on several occasions, says The White House according to Times of India.

"President Obama has found Prime Minister Modi to be somebody who is honest and direct, somebody who has good command of the facts, somebody who has a clear understanding of the issues that confront his country and our relationship," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference on Wednesday, according to the Indian daily.

On Monday, Obama met Modi in Paris on the sidelines of the United Nation's Climate Change Summit. This was the sixth meeting between the two leaders since they met for the first time at the White House last September.

"He (Modi) also is somebody that has a clear vision for where he wants to take his country, and it makes him not just an effective politician, but an effective Prime Minister," Earnest said.

"Obama certainly does respect Prime Minister Modi and has appreciation for his skills and abilities as a politician. He also is somebody who is given a very difficult challenge of sitting atop the world's largest democracy," Earnest was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

"That's not easy to work and it's not easy work and the president of the US has special insight into how difficult it is," he added.

Earnest said Obama had the opportunity to consult with Modi on a number of occasions, referring to the frequent meetings between the two leaders.

"I think that isn't just a testament to their good working relationship, it actually is a testament to the important issues that are at stake between our two countries and the ability of the leaders of our two countries to work through those issues and to advance our shared interests is a good thing," said White House press secretary.

"It's a good thing for the world, it's also a good thing for the citizens of our two countries," he said.

Earnest also added that he is not aware of any immediate visit of the Prime Minister to the White House, but did not rule it before the end of next year.

"I'm not aware of any meetings that are on the agenda at this point, but I certainly wouldn't rule out another visit by Prime Minister Modi before the end of next year.”