'My daughters are deeply moved by India's freedom struggle': President Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday said his daughters were deeply moved by India's independence movement and the role that Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi played in non-violent strategies, which influenced the civil rights movements in his country.

"They are deeply moved by India's independence movement and the role that Gandhi played in non-violent strategies in not only India but also how it influenced the non-violent civil rights movements in the United States," said President Obama, who was the chief guest for this year's Republic Day parade.

The U.S President added that both his daughters, Sasha and Malia, wanted to come to India but they had school each time he had taken a trip to the country.

"They very much wanted to come, they are fascinated by India. Unfortunately each time that I have taken a trip here they had school. They are fascinated by the culture and history of India, in part because of my influence," he stated.

President Obama said when he goes back he would tell his daughters that 'India is as magnificent as they imagined'.

"And I am quite sure that they are going to insist that I bring them back the next time I visit. It may not be during my Presidency, but afterwards they will definitely want to come and visit," he added.

To this, Prime Minister Modi replied, "I want to tell you, you can come any time, India will always welcome you and your children".

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.