US President George W. Bush declared on Friday that the United States and India were "closer than ever before" and united in the drive against terrorism but said New Delhi needs to lower trade barriers.
Bush wrapped up his first visit to India with a speech at New Delhi's 16th century Old Fort where he lauded the United States and India as two great democracies that must work together to support pro-democracy movements around the world. "The United States and India, separated by half the globe, are closer than ever before, and the partnership between our two nations has the power to transform the world," he said.
Showcasing relations that are closer now than at any time since the Cold War, Bush called India "a natural partner of the United States because we are brothers in the cause of human liberty."
Afterward Bush, whose three-day trip witnessed protests by the country's Muslims, left for India's rival Pakistan.
The US president, who earlier visited the technology city of Hyderabad to talk up the benefits of global trade, defended the outsourcing of thousands of American jobs to India that has caused much grumbling from US labour unions and led to calls for action from some members of Congress.
Outsourcing and software exports are forecast to earn India more than $20 billion in the fiscal year ending March, with about 60 percent of that coming from US companies.
Bush said Americans are benefiting from an expanded market for US goods in India and vowed Washington would not give in to "the protectionists" but said India needs to do its part.
"India needs to continue to lift its caps on foreign investment and make its rules and regulations more transparent and to continue to lower its tariffs and open its markets to American agricultural products, industrial goods and services," Bush said.
PROTESTS, VIOLENCE:
Bush's speech came a day after he sealed a landmark civilian atomic co-operation deal with New Delhi that recognises India's status as a responsible nuclear power.
Bush hailed India as a successful multi-ethnic country that can help advance the cause of democracy.
"We must stand with reformers and dissidents and civil society organisations," he said.
Earlier in Hyderabad during the president's visit, hundreds of Muslim youths fought pitched battles with policemen outside a mosque about 16 km (10 miles) away in the city's old quarters, throwing stones and bricks as they protested against his visit.
Four people, including two policemen, were injured as police caned the demonstrators, an officer said.
Two Muslim men were shot dead and 20 people injured in the northern Indian city of Lucknow as protests spun out of control and triggered communal clashes with Hindus, police said.
"Osama is our ideal, we can die for Osama," shouted some Muslim engineering students as they marched through the streets carrying posters of al Qaeda leader bin Laden.
Protests were also staged in the national capital New Delhi and occupied Srinagar.