New Delhi, Nov 8 (PTI) President Barack Obama's speech in Parliament was praised by the BJP and several other political parties but the Left said he had not offered anything tangible and asked the Government not to succumb to US pressure on strategic and economic issues.
"In today's speech, he (Obama) has met with the expectations of the Indian people," Advani told reporters at the Parliament House.
The BJP veteran also lauded the references made by Obama to Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekananda, B R Ambedkar and Ravindra Nath Tagore in his 35-minute speech.
He said what a person expects from the leader of the strongest democracy in the world, Obama has measured up to the expectations in his address.
Former BJP President Rajnath Singh welcomed Obama's remarks that US would like to see India as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
"This is as per our expectations," he said adding that Obama's concern on international terrorism and the resolve to tackle it together was also laudable.
To a question on his reference to Pakistan, Singh said in a way the US President has advised Islamabad. "It is a matter of satisfaction for us," he said.
Obama had sent a clear message to Pakistan that terrorist safe havens in the that country needed to be eliminated and action taken against those behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Asking the government not to bow to US pressure on strategic and economic issues, Left parties said Obama had failed to offer anything "tangible", including on the issue of permanent seat for India in the UN Security Council.
"References have been made (by Obama) on every major issue, but there is nothing tangible," CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury, who was present in Parliament during Obama's speech, said.
Obama "stood as the President pursuing the known US positions," CPI National Secretary D Raja said.
Samajwadi Party national spokesperson Mohan Singh said it was a "good sign" that US was willing to work and partner with India.
DMK leader T R Baalu said that the speech of Obama in Parliament has paved way for India and the US to jointly fight terrorism. "The two countries should work jointly, shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
He said Obama has also sent a loud message by saying that safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan is unacceptable. "It goes to show that US is committed to eradicating terrorism in rest of the world."
