Obama urges Indian action on religion, climate

New Delhi

US President Barack Obama urged India to promote religious tolerance and do more to combat global warming on Tuesday as he wrapped up a visit aimed at forging a new friendship between the world's two largest democracies.

Speaking to an audience of mainly young people, Mr Obama said the United States could be India's "best partner" but put pressure on his hosts over a range of political and social issues, including women's rights.

The US president also said their countries could forge "one of the defining partnerships of this century", even as he warned the war against climate change would not "stand a chance" without India.

The speech was the finale of a packed visit which has seen a dramatic upturn in an often troubled relationship, including the signing of a new "frien…