We still lead, despite growth of India, China: Obama

LONDON: Despite the emergence of new powers like China and India, the US and its European allies were still "indispensable" and remained the 'greatest catalysts' in global affairs, US President Barack Obama said on Wednesday. Rejecting the argument that rise of new global powers meant the end of the leadership of countries like the US and the UK, Obama said the time for their leadership had not passed. It was the first time ever that an American president was accorded the honour of addressing both houses of parliament in the 900-year-old Westminster Hall. Obama's address was attended by current and former British prime ministers, lords and MPs amidst traditional royal reception. Despite the rise of new global powers such as India, China and Brazil, Obama said that the time for US and European leadership "is now". The US and its allies in Europe would remain "indispensable" this century, he added, and recalled the many historical achievements in the area of politics, education, engineering and medicine. In his speech, Obama rejected arguments that the rise of superpowers like China and India meant the end for American and European influence in the world. He said: "Perhaps, the argument goes, these nations represent the future, and the time for our leadership has passed. That argument is wrong. The time for our leadership is now".