US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday here that nations are strongest when they uphold the equality of all their people, including their women.

“So if nations really want to succeed in today’s world, they cannot ignore the talent of half of their people. As husbands, fathers and brothers, we have to step up because every girl’s life matters, because every daughter deserves the same chances as our sons and every woman should be able to walk the streets and ride a bus and be safe and be treated with dignity,” he said.

One of the most “incredible things of the visit” has been seeing “all these incredible Indian women in the Armed Forces, including the one who led the Guard of Honour,” he said. “Remarkable, it’s a sign of great strength and progress.”

In India, women have shown that they can succeed in every field. “When a girl goes to school, it does not just open up her mind, but it benefits all of us because, maybe, someday she may start her own business or may invent a new technology or cure disease. When women are able to work, families are healthier and communities are wealthier and the entire country is core prosperous.”

During the talk, the President also touched on the importance of youth and how if every one in society is given an equal chance and with hard work they will be able to achieve their goals and dreams. He mentioned how Vishal, now 16 who Michelle Obama and he had seen at Humayun Tomb here during their last visit, is now looking forward to achieve his dream of joining the Indian Army.

If India and the US wanted to be global partners, “we must do more around the world. To ensure international security and peace, multilateral institutions created in the 20th century have to be updated to the 21st century. That’s why I support a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member,” the President said to loud claps and cheers from the crowd.

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