Obama in pledge to help India combat terrorism

Speaking at a news conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Manmoham Singh, Mr Obama said that, while both India and Pakistan have an interest in reducing tensions in the region, the US "cannot impose a solution to these problems".

"We are happy to play any role the parties think is appropriate," he said.

The conflict over Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region where rebels have sought independence from India or incorporation with Pakistan, has been the main source of friction between the nuclear-armed neighbours since they won independence from Britain in 1947.

Pakistan has frequently sought outside intervention to resolve it but India vehemently opposes such involvement, and the United States has traditionally stayed above the fray. Mr Obama declined to veer from that stance.

Mr Singh said that, while he believed a strong, moderate Pakistan was in the interests of India and the wider region, India could not engage in talks as long as Pakistan's "terror machine is as active as ever before".

Mr Singh is seen as a driving force behind Indian efforts to make peace with Pakistan. He called off peace talks following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, carried out by Pakistani militants, but was generally restrained in his reaction and never threatened military retaliation.

Mr Obama's three-day stay in India is his longest visit to a foreign country since taking office.

The President praised the relationship between the US and India as one of the "defining partnerships of the 21st century".

He and Mr Singh said they would co-host an international education summit next year and said the US Department of Homeland Security and India's Ministry of Home Affairs would collaborate to combat terrorism by improving security at airports and seaports.

Mr Obama also said the US would continue to share intelligence with India. Mr Singh said his country would establish new centres to focus more attention on the issues of nuclear proliferation and disease.

The leaders also reaffirmed their pledges of newfound economic co-operation, including moves by the United States to ease export controls between the world's two largest democracies.

Mr Obama said in response to a question: "I don't think India is emerging. It has emerged."

Mr Obama's final day in India began with a grand welcome ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the palatial residence of India's president. Guards on horseback led his limousine up the red clay driveway leading to the residence, where he was greeted by Indian dignitaries. He stood with his hand on his heart as a military band played the US national anthem.

Following the arrival ceremony, Mr Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama placed a wreath at Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mohandas Gandhi. As a sign of respect, the Obamas removed their shoes before placing a large white wreath on a flower-covered tablet in front of an eternal flame.

Hanging over his 10-day trip to Asia are heavy election losses at home. Yesterday, he promised to make "midcourse corrections" to reinvigorate his embattled domestic agenda.

US First lady inspires schoolgirls

Michelle Obama strolled with 15 schoolgirls and took turns holding each one's hand during their school trip through a museum of Indian craft work.

She advised the girls to study hard and be educated. She also said she likes to exercise because "women have to stay strong".

After the tour, the group sat under a canopy of trees and shared mango juice while Mrs Obama answered questions.

With the museum director, the US ambassador's wife and a translator, Mrs Obama and the girls toured the National Crafts Museum. Most of the children were the first girls in their families to be educated. The low-key school trip was the first lady's last solo outing in India.