Obama wins

India cautiously optimistic

AS HE made history by becoming the first African-American president to occupy the White House, India, like other nations, is keenly watching
Barack Hussein Obama's next moves.

The Democratic leader defeated John McCain by winning 349 electoral votes against his Republican rival's 173. A senator from Illinois,
47-year-old Obama is expected to take up office as the 44th President of the us on January 20, 2009.

His victory comes at a time when the us economy is in turmoil. In his speech soon after winning the election,
Obama mentioned "two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century" as the greatest challenges.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called his victory "extraordinary" and said future Indo- us cooperation would
be important for world peace, stability and progress. However, there is cautiousness over issues such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty;
even though the nuclear deal has been sealed, India may be under tremendous pressure to sign the treaty. There are worries that Obama's
policies may curb job outsourcing from India.