'Appreciate your strong personal commitment to improve our ties', says Prez Obama in Mann Ki Baat

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday said he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong personal commitment to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, in the joint 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address being broadcast across the nation today.

"Namaste! Thank you PM Modi for your kind words and incredible hospitality. I appreciate your (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) strong personal commitment to improve ties between our countries," said President Obama, who wrapped up his three-day visit to India earlier today.

He added that the U.S. and India are natural partners and two diverse societies dedicated to empowering individuals.

"India and the U.S. are natural partners, because we have so much in common. We are two great democracies, two innovative economies, two diverse societies dedicated to empowering individuals," he stated.

President Obama also pointed out that people in the U.S were excited about the myriad efforts of Prime Minister Modi.

"U.S. people are excited about Prime Minister's effort to reduce poverty, empower women, provide electricity access, clean energy," he said.

Prime Minister Modi has previously addressed the nation three times since October via the radio programme.

The joint address by Prime Minister Modi and President Obama is the first such programme to be broadcast on radio.

It follows the joint Op-Ed written by the two leaders in a major American daily, during the Prime Minister's visit of the U.S. in September 2014.